Body found in Libya, checks underway to see if it's Italian surfer missing in Puglia

Authorities in Libya are working to identify a body discovered at sea, which may belong to an Italian kitesurfer who disappeared off the coast of Puglia on May 1. The body was found wearing a wetsuit and carrying a kitesurf board, prompting an investigation by the Italian consulate general in Benghazi.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directed by Minister Antonio Tajani, is maintaining close contact with the family of the missing kitesurfer, Mimmo Piepoli, and the mayor of Erchie. The consulate has formally requested Libyan authorities to proceed with the necessary identification procedures, including DNA testing, which is crucial for confirming the identity of the deceased.

This development follows Piepoli's disappearance during a kitesurfing excursion. The ongoing efforts aim not only to confirm his identity but also to facilitate the potential repatriation of his remains. The case remains under close observation by the Farnesina and local officials as they await conclusive results from the identification process.