Tragedy in Friuli, drowned in the Cutting to save three children

A tragic incident unfolded along the Tagliamento River in the Friuli region today, resulting in the death of a 38-year-old man who sacrificed his life to save three children. The victim, a mason originally from Baku, Azerbaijan, was residing in Pontebba, Udine, with his family. He had recently arrived in Italy with his family and submitted an asylum application, which means his residence is still registered at a migrant center. The incident occurred in the afternoon near the A4 bridge in Ronchis territory. According to reports from the Carabinieri of Latisana, the family was spending time on the riverbank alongside two other Azerbaijani families to celebrate a holiday. At some point, several of their children entered the water and began struggling. Without hesitation, the man jumped into the river to rescue them. He successfully saved his five-and-a-half-year-old son, while his wife and others nearby assisted in rescuing the second daughter and another girl. However, shortly after, the man was swept away by the current and disappeared. A large-scale search operation was launched, involving firefighters from Latisana, flood rescue teams, an helicopter from Venice’s aviation unit carrying divers, the diving team from Trieste, and additional units operating boats from Portogruaro. After a long search, the body was found and recovered on the opposite bank of the river. The child rescued by the father has been diagnosed with severe drowning syndrome and was airlifted to Udine's Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital, where he was later declared out of danger. Emergency medical services and ambulances were dispatched to the scene by the Sores Fvg central operations office. Investigations by the Carabinieri are ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Firefighters have issued a warning urging caution, especially in light of the third heatwave of the summer, which could lead many to seek refuge near rivers. “Even when rivers are not at flood level, they can be extremely dangerous due to the current, potential obstructions, and water temperature,” stated officials from the Udine Fire Department. They advise against attempting to cross waterways or swimming in rivers and streams, where conditions can change rapidly and pose serious risks even to experienced swimmers. Authorities continue to assess the situation and provide guidance to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is mourning the loss of a man who put his life on the line to protect his children.