Watch: Three Friends Hug Each Other Before Being Swept Away By Italian Floodwaters

A devastating moment unfolded as three friends embraced each other before being swept away by floodwaters in Italy, captured on camera. Stranded on an island in the middle of a river, they clung to each other in a desperate attempt to resist the raging currents.

The individuals involved are identified as Patrizia Cormos, 20, her friend Bianca Doros, 23, and her boyfriend Cristian Molnar, 25. Rescuers revealed that the trio was just a “few meters from the safety of the river bank” when tragedy struck.

Tragically, two bodies, believed to be those of Cormos and Doros, were discovered approximately one kilometer away from the scene. Despite ongoing efforts, rescuers are still searching for Molnar, expressing their determination to locate the third missing person.

The harrowing video of their final moments was shared by Daily Mail on Instagram, eliciting messages of condolence and sorrow from users. “May their souls rest in peace,” expressed one user, while others echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the profound sadness of the situation.

Firefighters were alerted to the group’s predicament after receiving a distress call from one of the women, as reported by the Telegraph. Despite swift efforts to rescue them, the trio was swiftly swept away by the powerful current before assistance could reach them.

Giorgio Basile, chief of the provincial firefighters in Udine, recounted the heartbreaking scene, stating, “We threw them a rope, but they were literally swallowed up by the flood waters in front of our eyes. We watched them disappear.” He emphasized the unpredictable and treacherous nature of the river’s currents.

Mayor Michele De Sabata of Premariacco expressed sympathy for the victims, acknowledging the sudden and unforeseeable nature of the tragedy. He highlighted the rapid change in conditions, emphasizing that the friends arrived during sunny weather and could not have anticipated the calamity that unfolded in mere minutes.