12-Year-Old Boy Killed Boy Dies After Getting Sucked into Hot Tub Filter While on Vacation

Matteo Brandimarti was vacationing with his parents at the Duca di Montefeltro Hotel in the small town of Pennabilli, Italy, when the tragedy unfolded on Easter Sunday.

Around 10:30 a.m., the family was using the hotel’s spa facilities when Matteo suddenly became trapped inside a hot tub. His leg was reportedly sucked into a powerful water intake nozzle while the hydromassage system was running.

The situation quickly turned dire.

According to reports, Matteo was held underwater for nearly five minutes before hotel staff were able to shut off the power and stop the jacuzzi system. By the time he was freed, he was unresponsive.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene and immediately began CPR. They were able to restart his heart before airlifting him to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Despite the desperate efforts to save him, Matteo never recovered.

On April 9, doctors declared the young boy brain dead after he suffered severe oxygen deprivation while trapped underwater. His life support is expected to be withdrawn.

Investigators say the prolonged time underwater led to cardiac arrest and devastating brain damage caused by lack of oxygen.

Now, authorities are working to determine how this could have happened.

Prosecutors have opened an involuntary manslaughter investigation, though no one has been officially charged. The spa area has been shut down as officials examine the hot tub system for possible safety failures — including whether proper protective grilles were installed over the suction outlets.

Workplace safety officials have already submitted an initial report, focusing on potential design flaws or missing safeguards that could have prevented the tragedy.

In the midst of the heartbreak, Matteo’s parents have made the difficult decision to donate their son’s organs, a move their lawyer confirmed was approved.

An autopsy may also be conducted to better understand the exact cause of death.

The devastating loss has sparked an outpouring of grief online, with friends, family, and strangers flooding social media with messages of support.

“Beautiful sweet soul… may God hold you in his arms and protect your parents,” one person wrote. Another added: “So much pain is unjust.”