Bologna, August 9, 2026 – Tommaso Ugolini wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, enter Medicine, and become a professional. Tommaso, with his whole life ahead of him, a brilliant student career, fresh from graduation, and a path as a true athlete, always chasing the soccer ball. A life shattered, late Friday afternoon, in the sea of Rivabella, in Gallipoli.
Tommaso Ugolini died following a sudden illness
The nineteen-year-old from Bologna died following a sudden illness while he was in the water, not too far from the shore, with a friend, one of his peers with whom he was spending the holiday, hosted by the family of another companion. There were moments of terror: Tommaso suddenly disappeared among the waves and the friend, shouting desperately and in panic, managed to attract the attention of other bathers, triggering the alarm.
The paramedics continued cardiac massage for about 45 minutes
Those who reached Tommaso’s body, probably already lifeless, were some holidaymakers, while two lifeguards jumped into the water to rescue the boy and bring him back to shore. On the shore, resuscitation maneuvers began, also performed by a doctor and a nurse who were there spending a day at the beach. When the 118 emergency personnel arrived, the paramedics continued the cardiac massage for about 45 minutes. A heartbreaking race against time, which was unfortunately in vain.
There was nothing to be done for Tommaso and the operators could only confirm his death. The family is in shock and yesterday they went to Gallipoli, where the tragedy occurred. In the evening, at a local sanctuary, relatives gathered with some friends for a moment of prayer, reciting the rosary. The same was organized in other cities, also by Tommaso’s friends.
Elena Ugolini: “We are devastated, my nephew was a boy who was perfectly fine”
A silent gathering in the name of faith, which has always accompanied the life of the Ugolini family: the father Giampaolo Ugolini, surgeon and director of the surgical unit at Santa Maria delle Croci hospital in Ravenna, the mother Emanuela, and the older sisters, Arianna and Benedetta. Tommaso is the nephew of regional councilor Elena Ugolini, who with few words remembers her nephew: “We are devastated – says the councilor –. My nephew was a boy who was perfectly fine, an athlete and therefore always under control. A fantastic boy, quick-witted. We have no words for this tragedy. A misfortune, we are heartbroken.”
Tommaso had just graduated from Malpighi High School in Bologna
The nineteen-year-old had just completed the course at Malpighi High School in Bologna, Applied Sciences track, graduating with excellent grades. He was already enrolled in Medicine, because in the last year, as principal Marco Ferrari recounts, “he had expressed the desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, with whom I have an excellent relationship, and I was so happy to see a father proud of his son.” For the teaching staff, “Tommaso was a son, a student and a very respected boy. We were all stunned. We saw him bloom and then blossom,” ready for adult life.
In September, with the return to school, “we will remember him, not only by explaining to the students that life requires time, but also by dedicating to him, a lover of the ball and a player of Antal Pallavicini, a school soccer tournament.” The event is already dedicated to another former student, Ciccio Spada, who died in a road accident several years ago.
