Two women found dead in Natisone River, search for body continues

  ROME -- The bodies of two young women have been recovered in the Natisone River in the Friuli Venezia region, after three friends were seen swept away in flash floods following one final embrace, the fire brigade has said.

  The three young people were seen hugging in one final embrace on Friday when they encountered sudden and sever difficulties following a walk by the river. The victims have been named as 20 year old Patrizia Cormos,  a student of the Academy of Fine Arts, Bianca Doros, 23 had been visiting family in Italy for several days, and her boyfriend, Cristiann Casian Molnar, 25. 

  The bodies of the two women were found close to the Roman Bridge on Sunday, one around 700 m and the other nearly 1 k.m. away. Despite intense rescue efforts, the trio were last seen close to the bridge where the fire brigade had attempted in vain to lower ropes and use a crane to save the young people. The search for the Cristiann Casian Molnar is still underway. 

  Officials launched a rescue operation with over 40 specialists, scubadivers, and a speleological team, which led them to initially locate Cormos’ bag using a cellular signal, after a distress call to emergency services had been made on the phone. 

  The friends had reportedly gone for a walk along the river in the early afternoon of Friday, where there had been a yellow weather alert warning of flooding in the area. The river is also signposted with flood warnings, and note that bathing within the river is banned due to risk of drowning. 

  The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation, however there are currently no suspects or allegations of criminal conduct

lw