Tragic Surfing Accident: Italian Woman Dies After Swordfish “Bale Dolo-dolo” Attack in Indonesia

INDONESIA, RAKYAT NEWS — An Italian woman, identified as Giulia Manfrini, 36, tragically lost her life after being impaled by a swordfish (Xiphias gladius) or Ikan Todak or Bale Dolo-dolo while surfing in the waters off Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra.

According to Lahmudin Siregar, the acting head of the Mentawai Disaster Mitigation Agency, the incident occurred at approximately 9:30 AM local time in the Bengbeng surf area on Masokut Island.

Manfrini was catching waves when a swordfish unexpectedly jumped and struck her in the chest.

Witnesses Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro, also tourists, saw Manfrini in distress and rushed to assist her. They administered first aid and transported her to the Pei Pei Health Center, but unfortunately, she could not be saved.

Medical examinations revealed a deep stab wound in her upper left chest, approximately five centimeters in depth.

The report indicated that she had been struggling for oxygen, evidenced by foam coming from her nose.

Manfrini’s body is currently at the Pei Pei Health Center, with plans to be transported by boat to Padang and then repatriated to Italy.

This incident follows the death of another foreign surfer, American Erick Robert Soreker, in June 2024 under similar circumstances in Pagai Selatan. The Mentawai Islands are renowned for their world-class surfing conditions, drawing international tourists seeking prime waves. (Uki Ruknuddin)