An Italian surfer has died in a rare and tragic accident after being struck by a swordfish while surfing off Indonesia's West Sumatra coast.
Giulia Manfrini, 36, was fatally injured after a swordfish speared her in the chest while she surfed in the waters off Ombak Bengbeng, near Masokut Island, according to local authorities.
Lahmudin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands' Disaster Management Agency, said the swordfish "unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest".
Ms Manfrini, a surf coach and founder of the surf travel agency AWAVE, was well-known in the local surfing community.
James Colston, Co-Founder of AWAVE Travel said Ms Manfrini "touched countless people within the surf world" both in Europe and worldwide.
"Her kindness, care and positivity were remembered by all that met her and she will be dearly missed," he said.
Frankie Smithurst, from surf charter operator Naga Laut Mentawai Blue, said she would be remembered for her "overflowing excitement for life".
"Giulia will be forever known by her huge heart which matched her huge smile, an extremely selfless person who truly loved life," he told the ABC.
Two of her friends, Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro, were nearby when the incident happened.
They provided first aid and rushed her to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center, but despite their efforts, she could not be saved.
Medical reports indicated she suffered a 5-centimetre deep wound to her chest and showed signs of drowning.
Ms Manfrini's body has been transported to Padang City and will be repatriated to Italy.
Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of Venaria Reale, Ms Manfrini's hometown, expressed the community's sorrow over her tragic death in a Facebook post, noting the support for her grieving family.
"Giulia, just 36 years old and from Venaria, had long pursued her twin dreams: her love of surfing and opening a travel agency for sports holidays," he wrote.
"The news of her death has left us all in shock and makes us feel powerless in the face of such a devastating tragedy that took her life far too soon."
West Sumatra is a popular destination for international surfers, attracting visitors from Australia and around the world.
