Nigerian-born Italian up-and-coming volleyball star, Julia Ituma, has died after a suspected fall from a hotel room window in Turkey following her team’s, Novara, defeat to Turkish side Eczacibas in the Champions League semi-final.
Turkish police said 18-year-old Ituma was
staying on the sixth floor of a hotel in Istanbul.
The body of the Italian-born athlete of
Nigerian origin was discovered at 5:30 am local time in front of the hotel,
Turkish daily Daily Sabah reported.
Her club announced, “With deep sorrow and
emotion the untimely death of Italian volleyball player Julia Ituma.”
“The tragedy occurred in the early hours of
the day and the specifics of the incident are being investigated by the Turkish
police,” the Italian club added.
“We are all dismayed by this tragedy which
affects not only the volleyball world but all of Italian sport,” Italian
Volleyball Federation President Giuseppe Manfredi said in a statement.
“My first thought goes to Julia’s family, to
whom I send my deepest condolences and I guarantee that the Italian Volleyball
Federation will provide maximum support.”
AFP
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