An Italian surfer died last week after being speared by a needlefish in the waters off Masokut Island in Indonesia.

Antara, a local news agency, reported that 36-year-old Giulia Manfrini was surfing around 9:30 a.m. when the freak accident occurred.

The fish “jumped at Manfrini and hit her directly in the chest,” said Lahmudin Siregar, head of the Mentawai Islands Regency Regional Disaster Management Authority.

Manfrini was taken to a local hospital at the PeiPei Health Center. According to Antara, who received the medical report, Manfrini suffered a 5cm deep stab wound in her upper left chest and showed signs of water in her lungs.

Needlefish vary in size from 1 inch to about 3 feet long. Attacks are extremely rare and deaths are largely unforeseen, but their sharp, protruding beaks make for deadly encounters as these fish can leap out of the water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, according to the Ocean Conservancy. In 2010, a Florida kayaker was reportedly nearly killed by a needlefish after it stabbed her in the back, broke her ribs and punctured her lung.

Mentawai is considered one of the best surfing locations in the world with its warm waters, consistent waves and glassy conditions. The islands therefore have a thriving tourism economy with surf camps and travel agencies offering guided trips to foreign surfers.

Manfrini, a former professional snowboarder, co-founded AWAVE, a travel company that offered surf trips at luxury surf resorts and surf charters in remote locations around the world, including several locations in the Mentawai Islands. At the time of the accident she was a guest at the Hidden Bay Resort in the northern Mentawai Islands.

In an Instagram post, Hidden Bay Resort wrote, “Unfortunately, in this case, there was nothing we could do” to prevent the accident, adding that it “provided all necessary assistance to assist with the body repatriation procedures.” help.”

Friends and customers took to online to share their condolences and memories of the avid surfer.

“Giulia was the lifeblood of this company and her infectious enthusiasm for surf, snow and life will be remembered by everyone who came into contact with her,” AWAVE co-founder James Colston shared on social media. “Giulia couldn’t travel without people falling in love with her smile, her laughter and her endless enthusiasm.”

Massimo Ferro, one of two witnesses at the scene when Manfrini was killed, shared a series of pictures from their journey before the fatal accident.

“You jumped into my life full steam and walked out at the same time,” Ferro wrote on Instagram. “I’m grateful that I was with you until the last second.”