Irish woman, 60s, dies off coast of Sardinia

Aerial view over Alghero old town, Sardinia 

An Irish woman has died on the Italian island of Sardinia - the second Irish tourist death on the Mediterranean island in less than a week.
Local media reported the woman, who was in her 60s, died on Tuesday after being swept out to sea.

The Alghero Fire Brigade Flight Department and the Cagliari divers, supported by the Drago 144 helicopter were deployed during the rescue operation according to reports in local newspaper, L’Unione Sarda and other local media.

The tragedy took place off the coast in the west of the island, near the village of Portu Maga, a popular tourist destination.

One of the specialist divers was lowered into the sea, where there was a strong current, and recovered her from the ocean.

The woman was then brought back to land, but it appears sadly there was nothing they could do by that point to save her, the newspaper reported.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and providing consular assistance.

“As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases.”

It is the second death of an Irish person within several days on the Mediterranean island.

John Bergin, who was from Kilkenny but living in Dublin, died in Sardinia on Friday while reportedly on a hike.

The 39-year-old is to be laid to rest next week.

Mr Bergin went missing while on a family holiday with three of his brothers and his sister on Friday afternoon last.

He was reported missing by his brothers whom he is understood to have separated from to travel along another pathway.

Mr Bergin had been living in Drumcondra, Dublin in recent years but is originally from Dean St, Kilkenny.

His body was found on the Italian island of Sardinia last Sunday. The Bergin family have said they “will be forever grateful” for the support and love they have been shown.

His body was found in a remote area following an extensive search.

John Bergin

The Fingal County Council employee is survived by his brothers Paschal, Michael, Stephen, David and sister Clare.

Mr Bergin’s Requiem Mass will take place next Tuesday at 11am in St. Canice's Church, Dean St, Kilkenny after which his ashes will be laid to rest with his parents at St Kieran's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers his family have asked for donations, if desired, to Alpine and Speleological Rescue Operations, Sardinia, Italy.

Mr Bergin's family in a statement thanked the Emergency Services and Irish Embassy for all their assistance.

The Bergin family said: “We will be forever grateful for the support and love shown to us by the Sardinian people in the past few days” The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

Their statement continued: “The Bergin family would like to thank the mountain rescue, the emergency services, the helicopter pilots, the drone operators, the Carbinierie, the police force, the Irish Embassy, the search dogs, and the medical team who helped with the search, found our brother John and took care of him.

“We also thank the La Ginestra agency. We will be forever grateful for the support and love the Sardinians have shown us these past few days.

According to the newspaper L’unione Sarda emergency services believe Mr Bergin lost his way along the track on the third stage of the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara mining trail, between Masua and Cala Domestica.

The trail which is 19.3 kilometres long is classed as hard and challenging which runs along the coastline.