A SKELETON in a wetsuit has washed up on a Mediterranean beach two months after a kite surfer vanished without a trace.
The remains, believed to be those of 39-year-old Mimmo Piepoli, were recovered off the coast of Daryanah, in Libya’s Benghazi District.
Mimmo Piepoli, 39, vanished while kite surfing off the coast of Italy Credit: Jam Press
Remains believed to be the Italian’s were recovered on a Libyan beach Credit: Jam Press
A fisherman raised the alarm after spotting the body floating in the water on July 4.
Although the victim has not yet been formally identified, the kit recovered points to Mimmo.
The wetsuit the remains were still encased in, along with the kiteboard, closely matches the equipment used by the surfer from Erchie, Italy.
Mimmo, who was married and the father of two children, was passionate about the sea and water sports.
He vanished on May 1 while kitesurfing off Porto Cesareo, more than 500 miles from where the body was found.
Mimmo had gone out with a group of friends, returned to shore after losing his kite in strong winds, then headed back out on to the water.
Witnesses later saw him struggling before he disappeared beneath the waves.
The initial search, coordinated by the Italian Coast Guard, covered an area of around 97 square miles.
Mimmo was passionate about the sea and water sports Credit: Jam Press
The married dad-of-two was with a group of friends when he disappeared Credit: Jam Press
Rescue efforts were aided by aircraft, including an Italian Navy helicopter, which scoured the waters.
Divers were eventually called in, but the only trace of Mimmo recovered was his inflatable kite, which was found tangled around rocks a few days after his disappearance.
The recovered body has been taken to hospital for DNA testing to confirm the victim’s identity.
Italy‘s Scientific Committee for Missing Persons Searches said: “We hope the family will soon receive confirmation, however painful it may be.”
It comes a year after an Italian kite surfer died in rough waters around the tourist village of Vieste, on the country’s eastern coast.
Franco Carlucci, 63, reportedly fell into the sea and was likely strangled by the kite cable.
In October 2024, a 36-year-old Italian was impaled in the chest by a leaping swordfish while surfing in Indonesia.
Paramedics rushed to the aid of Giulia Manfrini, from Turin in northern Italy, but she sadly succumbed to her injuries.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
