ON
← Back to feed
Tragedy on Crete, body of head of Italian tennis club found
Croatia🏛️ Politics8/17/2026

Tragedy on Crete, body of head of Italian tennis club found

Luca Meneghetti, 53, the head of the Italian tennis club Tennis Torre based in Padua, was found dead on the island of Cres, Croatia, under circumstances that remain unclear. According to initial reports from Corriere della Sera, Meneghetti had been on vacation at the location and had last contacted friends on Wednesday, August 12. His phone was turned off, and he did not return to his accommodation after two days, prompting local authorities to alert emergency services. The body was discovered near his car in the nearby pine forest, where it is believed he may have experienced a sudden health issue. Rescue teams, including divers from Rijeka, conducted a thorough search using drones and located the body within a few hours despite the rugged terrain. The cause of death has not yet been determined, though a sudden medical condition is suspected. Meneghetti had previously worked as a photojournalist for the newspaper Il Gazzettino and often traveled to Croatia for short trips.

A body was found on the island of Cres after a man disappeared during a hike, according to local reports. Luca Meneghetti, 53, director of the Italian tennis club Tennis Torre based in Padua, was discovered dead in a pine forest near his car. The discovery came several days after he went missing while on holiday in Croatia. Meneghetti had planned to walk to the shore and swim to a nearby islet, according to Italian media. He had last been seen communicating with a friend via WhatsApp on Wednesday, August 12. His absence was noticed two days later when his hosts at the accommodation failed to see him return. Authorities were alerted, and a search operation was launched. The police station in Mali Lošinj requested assistance from the Rijeka Mountain Rescue Service, which deployed more than ten rescuers to the area of Lubenica. The terrain was difficult to access, yet the body was located within hours. Rescuers used drones to aid their efforts, highlighting the challenging conditions of the region. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Investigators are considering various possibilities, including sudden health issues. The body was found near the vehicle, raising questions about whether Meneghetti reached the islet before returning. A thorough examination will be necessary to establish the exact circumstances. Meneghetti was known in Padua and surrounding areas for his work in tennis. He had previously worked as a photojournalist for the daily newspaper Il Gazzettino. Friends noted that he often traveled alone and enjoyed adventurous trips. During July, he had already spent time in Croatia. His business associate, Daniele Qualdi, confirmed that Meneghetti’s last communication was through WhatsApp on Wednesday. “The last photograph was from Wednesday, when he messaged our common friend,” Qualdi stated. Since then, there have been no further updates. The incident has sparked concern among locals and colleagues. The difficulty of the terrain and the remote location of the island added to the challenges faced by rescue teams. Despite these obstacles, the body was recovered relatively quickly, underscoring the effectiveness of the coordinated response. Further investigation into the cause of death is ongoing. Medical experts will examine the findings, and authorities will continue to gather information. Until then, the case remains under review, with all possible angles being explored.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (4)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

2 reports

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 758/17/2026
Tragedy on Crete, body of head of Italian tennis club found

Luca Meneghetti, 53, the head of the Italian tennis club Tennis Torre based in Padua, was found dead on the island of Cres, Croatia, under circumstances that remain unclear. According to initial reports from Corriere della Sera, Meneghetti had been on vacation at the location and had last contacted friends on Wednesday, August 12. His phone was turned off, and he did not return to his accommodation after two days, prompting local authorities to alert emergency services. The body was discovered near his car in the nearby pine forest, where it is believed he may have experienced a sudden health issue. Rescue teams, including divers from Rijeka, conducted a thorough search using drones and located the body within a few hours despite the rugged terrain. The cause of death has not yet been determined, though a sudden medical condition is suspected. Meneghetti had previously worked as a photojournalist for the newspaper Il Gazzettino and often traveled to Croatia for short trips.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a tragic incident involving a private individual and does not engage with any political issues, policies, or figures. It provides factual information about the event without apparent bias or ideological framing.

Why factuality (85): This article closely follows the primary source document, providing accurate details about the search operation, the involvement of HGSS, the use of drones, and the timeline of events. It does not add significant speculation or extra context beyond what is reported. The mention of the possible cause

Why objectivity (75): While the article maintains a neutral tone overall, there is a slight emphasis on the tragic nature of the event, particularly through the repeated use of terms like 'tragedija' and 'preminuo.' This could be interpreted as a minor emotional framing, though it doesn't strongly bias the content.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 658/17/2026
Details of the Crete tragedy: the body of the head of the Italian tennis club has been found

Talijanski sportski djelatnik Luca Meneghetti (53), voditelj teniskog kluba Tennis Torre iz Padove, pronađen je mrtav na otoku Cresu nakon što je izgubi trag. Prema talijanskim medijima, Meneghetti je otišao u prirodnu zonu s namjerom da pješice stigne do obale i otpliva do blizu otočića. Kada se do sljedećeg dana nije vratio u apartman, vlasnici smještaja obavijestili su policiju. Tijelo je pronađeno u borovoj šumi nedaleko od automobila, a istražitelji pokušavaju utvrditi okolnosti smrti, uključujući je li uspješno dostigao otočić i je li mu tijekom povratka pozlilo. Policijska postaja Mali Lošinj zatražila je pomoć riječkog HGSS-a, a potraga je trajala na području Lubenica. Uzrok smrti još nije utvrđen, a kao mogućnost se razmatra iznenadni zdravstveni problem. Posljednji put je Meneghetti javio prijatelju preko WhatsAppa u srijedu.

Bias read (Center): Tematika priče je sportski incident, pa je politička nabitost minimalna. Članak neutralno opisuje događaj bez evidentnog stranih ili domaćeg slanja. Izvorima se koriste objektivne informacije, a nema jasno izražene ideološke perspektive.

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the location, time, and outcome of the search for Luca Meneghetti, aligning with the primary source document. It mentions the involvement of HGSS and the use of drones, which matches the details from the original report. However, it adds some speculative information su

Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat sensational, using phrases like 'tragedy' and 'pronađen je mrtav' which carry emotional weight. While the article remains largely factual, it leans slightly towards a narrative that emphasizes the tragedy and mystery, potentially influencing reader perception.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories