Surfer, 36, impaled in the chest by swordfish in deadly freak attack off coast of paradise island

A SURFER has been killed after she was impaled in the chest in a freak swordfish attack.

Giulia Manfrini, 36, was travelling off the coast of a paradise island in Indonesia before the deadly encounter with the sea creature left her with a fatal two-inch wound.

The Italian surfing coach was happily riding the waves off Masokut Island, in the luxury Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra on Friday.

After only a short time of surfing, Giulia was caught out by a leaping swordfish who sprung out of the water and stabbed her in the chest.

The sharp blow is said to have gone around two inches deep into her flesh and left the Italian trapped beneath the water.

Two panicked surfers in Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro saw the tragedy unfold as they ran over to help the stricken woman.

They battled to keep her alive despite the severe wound before rushing her to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Centre.

Doctors declared Giulia dead on arrival.

It is still unclear if she drowned after becoming submerged underwater following the fatal attack or died from her wounds.

AKP Hadi Yasmar, head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Mentawai Police said: "The incident happened when the victim was surfing with two of her friends in the waters of Bengbeng Pulau Masokut, Pasakiat Taileleu Village, Southwest Siberut District.

"The victim suffered a five-centimetre wound to the left chest, and when she was found, the condition of her face showed that she had been submerged for a moment.

"She may have drowned."

The news of her death has shocked us all, we feel helpless in the face of a tragedy that cut short her life so prematurely

Fabio Giulivi Sindacomayor of Venaria Reale

Authorities announced Giulia's body is due to be taken to Padang City before being returned to Italy.

The mayor of Giulia's home city of Venaria Reale has since spoken out on the "shocking" death.

Fabio Giulivi Sindaco said in a statement: "The whole community offers its condolences to her family.

"The news of her death has shocked us all, we feel helpless in the face of a tragedy that cut short her life so prematurely."

Giulia was an aspiring law graduate who had already left her mark on the world after founding the Awave Travel company which specialises in popular tourist destinations for skiers and snowboarders.

In recent years the 36-year-old moved to Bali to work as a surfing instructor.

Many tourists and expats have been killed in animal attacks in Indonesia in recent months.

In September, a US tourist was eaten by a shark after she was swept away by strong currents during a dream diving holiday.

The body of 68-year-old American Colleen Monfore from South Dakota, was found inside the stomach of a shark by horrified fishermen.

Locals are also at risk of fatal strikes with herds of elephants trampling on a woman and her unborn child in September.

And a gran was nearly devoured whole by a crocodile in August.