A human skeleton still clad in a wetsuit has washed ashore on a Mediterranean beach, weeks after a kite surfer disappeared. The remains were recovered off the coast of Daryanah, in Libya’s Benghazi district, on July 4, 2026. They are believed to belong to Mimmo Piepoli, a 39-year-old Italian kite surfer who went missing two months earlier.
Disappearance and Search Efforts
Piepoli vanished on May 1, 2026, while kitesurfing off Porto Cesareo, Italy — more than 500 miles from where the skeleton was found. The married father of two had been out with friends and briefly returned to shore after losing his kite in strong northerly winds. He then headed back out, and witnesses later saw him struggling before he disappeared beneath the waves.
The initial search, coordinated by the Italian Coast Guard, covered nearly 100 square miles. Aircraft, including an Italian Navy helicopter, were deployed. In the following days, the operation expanded with divers and additional aircraft. However, the only trace recovered was Piepoli's inflatable kite, found tangled around rocks a few days after his disappearance.
Identification Process
Although formal identification has not yet been completed, authorities in Rome believe the remains are those of Piepoli. The skeleton has been taken to a hospital for DNA testing to establish identity. Italy’s Scientific Committee for Missing Persons Searches stated: “We hope the family will soon receive confirmation, however painful it may be.”
Background of the Victim
Piepoli was a passionate water sports enthusiast and a married father of two. He had gone kitesurfing with a group of friends on the day he disappeared. The strong winds that day contributed to his initial loss of equipment and ultimately to his disappearance.
