An experienced Italian freediver has died while carrying out reconnaissance of the seabed ahead of a national spearfishing championship in Sardinia.
Francesco Pagni, from Sarzana in the Liguria region of northern Italy, died on Monday, September 14, while in the waters off Alghero.
The Italian Federation of Sport Fishing, Underwater Activities and Finswimming (FIPSAS) has confirmed that Pagni was taking part in preparations for the Italian Qualification Championship for Spearfishing, which is scheduled to take place in Alghero on September 18 and 19.
FIPSAS said Pagni was an experienced practitioner of pesca in apnea, or breath-hold spearfishing, and was in Alghero as the second and assistant to competitor Fabio Tonazzini.
He was carrying out reconnaissance of the seabed when the incident occurred.
According to ANSA, Pagni’s body was recovered and brought back to the harbour, where emergency medical personnel attended. He could not be revived.
Local reporting indicates that people who were at sea with Pagni raised the alarm, after which the Alghero Coast Guard became involved in the recovery and subsequent investigation.
Cause Of Death Remains Unknown
The circumstances surrounding Pagni’s death have not yet been established.
FIPSAS said that both the circumstances and cause of the fatality remain under investigation. Italian media have also reported that an autopsy has been ordered as authorities work to determine what happened during the dive.
Initial reports differ over Pagni’s age, with some Italian outlets reporting 47 and others 48. The Scuba News has therefore chosen not to state his age until this can be independently confirmed.
No official cause of death had been announced at the time of publication.
Championship Scheduled For This Week
The Italian Qualification Championship for Spearfishing is officially scheduled for September 18 and 19 in Alghero and is being organised by GS Corallo Sub under the auspices of FIPSAS.
The competition brings together athletes involved in competitive breath-hold spearfishing, with reconnaissance of the competition area forming part of preparations ahead of the event.
FIPSAS issued a statement following Pagni’s death expressing condolences to his family, loved ones and the wider Italian spearfishing community. The federation described his death as a tragedy for a community in which he was an experienced and passionate participant.
At the time of writing, the official FIPSAS competition calendar continues to list the championship for September 18 and 19.
The Scuba News will follow the investigation and update this story if further information is released concerning the cause of Pagni’s death or the status of the championship.
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