An Italian surfer dies after being attacked by a crocodile in Mentawai, Indonesia

<a href="http://www.time.news/italian-surfer-giulia-manfrini-dies-after-being-attacked-by-a-needlefish-in-indonesia/" title="Italian surfer Giulia Manfrini dies after being attacked by a needlefish in Indonesia”>Italian surfer and surfer Giulia Manfrini, 36, died after being attacked by a crocodile while surfing in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, this Friday. Two men rescued the athlete on the beach. She succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital.

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Italian surfer Giulia Manfrini — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The head of the Mentawai Disaster Management agency, Lahmudin Siregar, confirmed the death. “Unexpectedly, a bullet jumped on Giulia Manfrini and hit her directly in the chest, according to the information we received from the head of the Southwest Siberut sub-district.”

Passionate about winter sports, Giulia founded a travel agency with sea and snow activities. She was well known in Italian surfing circles and had over 21,000 followers on Instagram.

That’s an absurd death… What are the chances of something like that happening? Rest in peace, Giulia. My condolences to the family — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

On social media, one of the biggest Italian surfers today, Leonardo Fioravanti, mourned the incident. “Giuli was always very kind to me. My thoughts are with the family. RIP,” Fioravanti wrote.

Leonardo Fioravanti mourns the death of a surfer — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

On the surfer’s profile, friends and followers show solidarity. “I am heartbroken. You will be the most stunning angel in the world, for sure. I am very much in love and mourning. I am also in my deepest thoughts to your parents and friends, with my deepest condolences,” one person wrote.

“What an absurd death… How could something like that happen? Rest in peace, Giulia. My condolences to the family,” said one netizen.

Find out who Giulia Manfrini is, the Italian surfer who died after a crocodile attack in Indonesia

A 36-year-old Italian woman was rescued from the beach and taken to hospital, but did not survive her injuries