An undocumented Moroccan
immigrant on Friday saved the life of a 25-year-old French
tourist who fell off a Florence bridge into the Arno river.
Eyewitnesses and police who raced to scene applauded the
28-year-old rescuer, Toukif Chtouki, after he dove in to pluck
the tourist from the murky Florentine waters.
The Moroccan national - who has reportedly been living in
Italy for four years - was riding past on a bicycle when he
noticed the tourist in distress.
He then descended to the river's edge and dove in after
him.
"Toukif carried out an action of great valour and humanity
that could have put his own life at risk," Mayor Dario Nardella
wrote on Facebook.
"Thank you Toukif".
The tourist explained he fell when he was taken ill after
leaning out to snap photos.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
