Migrant boat strikes teenage swimmer on Sardinian beach, 28-year-old helmsman arrested
A fiberglass boat carrying 14 Algerian migrants struck a teenage girl swimming at Su Giudeu beach in Chia, Sardinia, on 16 August, leaving her hospitalized in serious condition. Police arrested the 28-year-old alleged helmsman on charges of facilitating illegal immigration and causing very serious injuries.
The collision
On the afternoon of 16 August 2026, a teenage tourist was swimming with a stand-up paddleboard near the popular Su Giudeu beach in Chia, in the municipality of Domus de Maria, on the south-western coast of Sardinia. Most sources identify her as 17 years old, though two outlets, including ANSA, reported her age as 18. She was on vacation with her family. A fiberglass boat powered by an 85-horsepower outboard motor, carrying 14 Algerian migrants, struck the girl at high speed a few meters from the shoreline. According to one reconstruction, the boat approached the shore at speed and hit the girl at the level of the buoy marking the boat access lane toward land. Witnesses reported that the vessel had carried out several dangerous maneuvers, risking hitting other bathers, before fleeing after the impact.
Rescue and hospitalization
The impact caused multiple fractures to the girl's limbs and head, and she lost consciousness from the shock, risking drowning. Bathers and a lifeguard reached her, brought her to shore, and began resuscitation maneuvers while emergency services (118) were alerted. The girl was intubated at the scene and transported by air ambulance in red code, the highest urgency level, to Brotzu hospital in Cagliari, where she remained hospitalized in serious condition.
The boat's flight and the manhunt
After the collision, the boat resumed its course by sea toward the nearby Tuerredda beach, where the 14 passengers disembarked and attempted to flee inland. The alarm raised by bathers triggered a response by Carabinieri from the stations of Domus de Maria, Pula, and the Nucleo Operativo of Cagliari, who were already deployed along the coast for extraordinary summer controls agreed at the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security in the Prefecture. A police car from the Carbonia commissariat also responded. The military, with the aid of a helicopter, secured the main landing routes and tracked down the entire group. All 14 were adult Algerian men, without documents but apparently in good health. According to one report, they were subsequently taken to the Monastir reception center.
- Migrant boat strikes teenage swimmer at Su Giudeu beach, Chia
- Bathers and lifeguard rescue the girl and begin resuscitation
- Girl intubated and flown by air ambulance to Brotzu hospital, Cagliari
- Boat flees to Tuerredda beach; 14 migrants disembark and flee inland
- Carabinieri track down and stop all 14 Algerian migrants
- 28-year-old Algerian helmsman arrested and taken to Uta prison
Arrest and charges
Investigations coordinated by the Prosecutor's Office of Cagliari and conducted by the Carabinieri together with the Squadra Mobile of the Questura identified the alleged helmsman as a 28-year-old Algerian citizen. He was arrested on charges of facilitating illegal immigration and causing very serious personal injuries, and was taken to Uta prison.
Political reaction
Salvatore Deidda, a deputy of the Fratelli d'Italia party, commented on the incident as reported by CagliariPad.
All our prayers and thoughts go to the girl injured in this very serious episode. To her and her family goes our total and unconditional closeness. Now zero tolerance: we demand with absolute firmness that those responsible for this vile act be immediately identified, arrested and tried. They must pay for what they have done and, without any discount, be expelled from our national territory. Those who commit such crimes have no right to remain in Italy.
