Two men die in Sesia River rescue attempt in Romagnano Sesia, Italy
On the afternoon of 5 July 2026, two men in their forties drowned while trying to rescue a six‑year‑old girl stuck on a rock in the Sesia River at Romagnano Sesia, province of Novara, Italy. The victims, identified as Benzaid Abdelhadi (born 1980, resident of Azzio) and Bouchia El Kerjmi (born 1975, resident of Casorate Sempione), were the girl's father and her uncle. Both were of North‑African origin and are reported to have been poor swimmers. The girl was brought safely to shore by her brother and another by‑stander who also jumped into the water.
Emergency services responded quickly: the fire brigade, an aerial rescue helicopter from Malpensa airport, 118 medical teams and local carabinieri. Divers recovered the bodies of the two men, but resuscitation attempts failed. The girl's mother, who was pregnant, witnessed the incident and was taken by air ambulance to the Maggiore Hospital in Novara for medical and psychological care. An investigation by the carabinieri is underway to clarify the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
The incident has deeply affected the local community, especially the Varesotto area where the victims lived, and has prompted widespread media coverage across Italy.