UDINE, ITALY – Three friends were seen embracing each other just moments before being swept away by flash flooding along the Natisone River on Friday. The two women and one man, all in their 20s, were captured on camera as they found themselves suddenly surrounded by rapidly rising waters.
The trio had gone for a walk near Udine when the water levels unexpectedly surged, leaving them trapped. They managed to alert passers-by, who promptly called for help. Firefighters arrived quickly and attempted a rescue by throwing a rope, but the friends were unable to reach it.
By Sunday, the bodies of the two women were discovered at separate locations about a kilometer downstream, according to local reports. Their families have been notified, while the search for the man continues. The women have been identified as a 20-year-old student and a 23-year-old Romanian woman who had recently arrived in Italy to visit her parents. The man, 25, is reportedly the boyfriend of the older woman and is also Romanian.
A handbag belonging to one of the women, with her mobile phone still inside, was found by search teams on Saturday. More than 80 people have been involved in the search effort, battling the low water temperatures and challenging conditions.
The flooding followed several days of heavy rain in the region and across other parts of Europe. In a related incident, a firefighter in southern Germany lost his life while trying to rescue people stranded by floodwaters. Another firefighter and a 43-year-old woman are also reported missing.
Local media described the scene where the bodies were found as “heartbreaking.” The community remains hopeful for the safe recovery of the missing man, as search efforts continue in the face of adverse weather conditions.