World in shock as surfer fatally impaled by swordfish

A popular surfing figure has died at the age of 36 after a freak incident where she was fatally impaled by a swordfish.

Giulia Manfrini has died at the age of 36 after being fatally impaled by a swordfish during a freak incident.

The Italian thrill-seeker was killed while surfing at a popular surf break off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, earlier this month.

The surfing lifestyle cult figure was catching waves at Masokut Island in the Mentawai archipelago when a swordfish leapt out of the water and stuck her in her chest, eye witnesses have told news outlets.

According to The Standard, the Instagram influencer reportedly had a 5cm deep stab wound on the left side of her chest.

Surfers at the break were able to transport her to a local health clinic — Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Centre — but she died shortly after.

Giulia Manfrini shared her global travels with followers. Photo: Facebook.

According to The Telegraph, Massimo Ferro and Alexandre Ribas were among those that tried to save her life and provided first aid at the scene after watching the tragedy unfold.

According to the Siberut Police, Manfrini had signalled for help to two witnesses at the scene.

Stabmag shared new details this week, with news emerging the medical report indicated that her nose was foaming — a sign she had suffered oxygen deprivation from drowning.

News of the surfer’s passing sent shockwaves throughout her hometown in Italy.

Venaria Reale mayor, Fabio Giulivi, was among those to pay tribute to the surfing coach.

“The entire Venarian community is gathering around Giulia Manfrini’s family,” Giulivi wrote on Instagram.

“The news of her death has left us shocked and makes us feel powerless in front of the tragedy that took her life so prematurely.”

Giulia Manfrini drops in. Photo: Instagram, @giuliamanfrini.

Giulia Manfrini shared the image on Facebook.

Her Instagram page has been flooded with emotional tributes since the tragic news was made public.

One follower wrote: “The sea, that gave you so much, has taken your life. Rest in peace”.

Manfrini’s former volleyball coach also wrote: “Our whole community in Portugal is heartbroken alongside you as we hear of the sad news.

“She loved life, and we spent (our) last evening (together) picking pomegranates and talking about making fig jam and what other fruit we would harvest together next year.

“She became like my new Italian daughter, and oh how we will miss her.

Giulia Manfrini tames a wave. Photo: Facebook.

Giulia Manfrini shows off her board. Photo: Instagram, @giuliamanfrini.

“We can only say how much she got out of her short life, and she filled it completely.”

Surf charter operator Naga Laut Mentawai Blue also wrote on social media: “She had deep love and overflowing excitement for life.

“RIP our beautiful, friendly, always smiling and happy friend,” it said.

Manfrini was a former professional snowboarder and travelled the world as an extreme sport junkie.

She studied law at university, but her life went down another route when she took up a job as a surfing instructor.

Sharing her journey on social media with a series of photos and videos from her time in and out of the surf, Manfrini amassed a following of 24,000 fans on Instagram.

She also co-founded an online travel company specialising in surf and snow experiences.

According to The Standard, her body is in the process of being transported back home to Italy.