The Italian volleyball player Julia Ituma, 18 years old and one of the stars of the Italian youth team, was found dead on Thursday in Istanbul (Turkey) after falling from a window of the concentration hotel where she was staying with her Igor Novara teammates to play the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

The Turkish police, in charge of the investigation, have not given an official version of what happened but, according to Italian and Turkish media, the 18-year-old could have thrown herself into the void of her own volition.

"Igor Volleyball announces with deep sorrow and emotion the untimely death of Italian volleyball player Julia Ituma. Apparently, the tragedy occurred in the early hours of the day and the dynamics of the incident are being investigated by the Turkish police," the Italian club explained.

The entity expressed "its condolences and its participation in the pain of Julia's family and loved ones. The club and all its members, heartbroken by the loss, will maintain a respectful silence on the matter."

Ituma (Milan, 2004) was presented as one of the great promises of Italian volleyball and as a successor of her compatriot Paola Egonu, maximum national exponent. It was his first season at Igor Novara. He previously played for Club Italia.

The player accumulated an extensive record with the lower categories of the Italian national team, among which were a gold medal in the U-20 World Cup in 2021, a European gold medal in 2022 with the U-19 team and another gold medal in the Youth Olympic Games.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is "following with great attention the sad story of the very young volleyball player Julia Ituma. The Consulate General immediately took action with Julia's relatives to whom it is providing maximum assistance while ensuring constant communication with the team and its sports director, as well as with the Italian Volleyball Federation and local authorities.

The Italian Volleyball Federation, for its part, decreed a minute of silence in all matches played between Thursday and Sunday in memory of the deceased.

  • More sport
  • Italy

According to The Trust Project criteria

Learn more