Three Friends Seen Hugging Each Other Moments Before Being Swept Away In Flash Flood

Three friends were seen hugging each other moments before they were tragically swept away by a sudden and violent flash flood.

In northern Italy, storms accompanied by intense rainfall have led to severe flash flooding. 

Emergency teams have been busy, navigating dinghies through flooded streets to evacuate residents.

The situation is particularly bad in the cities of Padua and Vicenza, where the regional governor of Veneto has likened the onslaught of rain to a 'water bomb'.

Flash floods have swept across northern Italy. (Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In a conversation with the Corriere del Veneto, Professor Marco Marani emphasized the growing issue, stating: 

"Extreme events are becoming more frequent and will increase with the increase of global warming."

On a fateful Friday (31 May), Patrizia Cormos, aged 20, her 23-year-old friend Bianca Doros, and Cristian Molnar, 25, Bianca's boyfriend, decided to walk along the banks of the Natisone River near Udine in the Friuli region.

However, their leisurely stroll took a dangerous turn as the river, swollen from days of relentless rain, began to rise alarmingly.

The last time the trio was seen alive, they were standing in thigh-deep water on a small island they had reached seeking safety from the floodwaters.

The trio could be seen hugging moments before tragedy. (X/@Tg3web)

Stranded on the island as the water levels rose menacingly around them, they signaled to passersby, desperately calling for help.

Firefighters quickly responded, and from a nearby bridge, they instructed the group to stay together while attempting to throw them a rope.

During the rescue operation, a deeply distressing video captured the three friends embracing tightly, overwhelmed by the rapidly rising waters.

By Sunday (2 June), the bodies of Ms. Cormos and Ms. Doros were found approximately 1km from the spot where they were last seen.

The local authorities have since launched an investigation into the tragic event, while the search for Mr. Molnar is ongoing.

In the days following the tragedy, firefighters, alongside other emergency personnel, have deployed drones, boats, and divers in a continuous effort to locate missing individuals.

On the day of the incident, one of the women managed to call emergency services around 1:35 pm, seeking immediate assistance.

Two bodies have been found. (X/@Tg3web)

Firefighters arrived quickly and tried to secure the friends with a rope from the bridge.

However, the powerful river currents were too overwhelming and swept the friends away before the rescue could be effected.

Basile further explained the perilous conditions: "The main element is not so much the rain, it is the power of the river, the very strong currents.

"There are gorges, there is a backwash of water and even for the experts, it is a particularly treacherous task."