It was a quiet Saturday evening in Wied il-Mielah, a spectacular fjord on the island of Gozo, when Oriana Bertolino, A 31-year-old volleyball player from Marsala, she met her tragic fate.
The idyllic atmosphere of the place, with its cliffs as high as ten-story buildings and the blue of the Mediterranean as a backdrop, was suddenly transformed into a scene of pain. And it was precisely the fear of missing the breathtaking sunset that was at the root of the accident that caused the girl’s death.
Oriana was in Malta for a short holiday with a friend, a fellow citizen of 47 years. The two had decided to explore the beauties of the island on a quad bike. What was supposed to be an exciting adventure ended in tragedy when the vehicle lost control, falling into the sea from a height of over 25 metres. Her friend managed to save himself, suffering only minor injuries, but there was nothing that could be done for Oriana.
According to the Maltese police, the quad driver lost control of the vehicle due to a steering problem, which prevented him from changing direction. The leader of the group, fearing to miss the sunset, would have forced everyone to accelerate, raising dust and reducing the grip on the dirt ground. This would have made it impossible to stop in time before the end of the cliff. Oriana’s body was recovered after a long search, but the injuries sustained were fatal.
The Italian Embassy in Malta has maintained constant contact with Oriana’s family, offering support and assistance. In the meantime, Magistrate Brigitte Sultana is conducting an investigation to shed light on the circumstances of the accident.
The 47-year-old who was with Oriana in Malta was in shock. Lawyer Vincenzo Forti arrived to assist him on the island. “We asked to be questioned immediately and to extend the blood and urine tests to any drugs that induce drowsiness or detachment from reality. Negative results on all alcohol, drug, and toxicological fronts,” the lawyer said. The investigators, following the questioning, decided not to detain the man who is not under investigation and was informed of the possibility of leaving Maltese territory at any time. The victim’s backpack containing personal effects was recovered.
Oriana will be remembered not only for her sporting abilities, but also for her kind spirit and passion for life.
She was very well known and in a few hours a flood of memories, dedications, and words of condolences appeared on social media. Disbelief mixed with so much pain for a girl who dedicated her life to many passions. Love for animals, commitment to the little ones, the study of philosophy, volleyball. Oriana leaves a huge void in the community of Marsala and beyond, her smile and her joy of living have enlightened every person she met on her path.
The many messages of condolence demonstrate this.
«The news of the tragic and premature death of Oriana Bertolino, 31 years old, volleyball lover, player and coach, deeply affects us all» writes the President of FipavSicilia, Antonio Locandro, who together with the Regional Council and all the members of the CR Sicilia «joins the grief of Oriana’s mother and brother, of the Marsala Volley club and of all her loved ones, in this moment of deep sorrow».
“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic news of the loss of young Oriana Bertolino. At only 31 years old, Oriana lost her life in a tragic accident in Malta, leaving an unfillable void in the hearts of all those who knew her,” writes Massimo Grillo, mayor of Marsala, who on behalf of the municipal administration and all the citizens of Marsala, expressed “our deepest condolences and our closeness to Oriana’s family. May Oriana rest in peace and her family find the strength to face this immense pain.”
