The search continues for the three boys overwhelmed by the flood and missing in the Natisone river, in Premariacco (Udine), since Friday afternoon.
I am Patrizia Cormos, 20 years old , resident in Balsadella di Campoformido (Udine), my friend Bianca Doros, 23 years old , and the latter's boyfriend, Cristian Molnar, a 25 year old boy resident in Austria.
The three had decided to take a walk in the riverbed to find some relaxation after Patrizia had taken an exam at the Academy of Fine Arts. This was confided by the relatives of the twenty-year-old, who yesterday after passing a difficult test had accepted the invitation of her friend Bianca to take a car ride with her boyfriend.
When they arrived at the "beach" of Premariacco, the sky was incredibly clear after many hours of rain and access to the riverbed was easy and completely dry , as was the path that leads to the hill that rises in the center of the stream bed. But a yellow weather alert had been issued and that river, as the signs posted in the area warn that bathing is strictly prohibited, is subject to flash floods.
And this happened. Within a short time an exceptional event, the water level began to rise dramatically according to the measurements taken. At 11.30 the water flow rate was still only 20 cubic meters per second , within a very wide bed. At 1pm, that is when the boys were already on the riverbed, the flow rate suddenly became 135 cubic meters per second . At 1.35pm the boys were hit by the flood and raised the alarm at the same time as numerous passers-by. At 3pm the Natisone's capacity had reached 250 cubic metres , and the desperate - and dangerous - searches of the firefighters with boats and the diving group were already underway.
The three young people hugged each other to try to create a dam, they asked for help on the phone while they were stuck on the riverbed and the height of the water rose rapidly. The firefighters arrived on site and held out ropes for them to hold on and reach the ladder. Nothing to be done, the current dragged them away right under the eyes of the firefighters .
Meanwhile, the searches continue: Patrizia Cormos' bag was found near the river bank. Inside was the mobile phone from which the SOS to 112 was sent.
(Unioneonline/L)
