A Small Town Mourns: The Tragic Loss of Two-Year-Old Viviana Maria Barel in Revine Lago, Italy
A devastating blow has struck the quiet community of Revine Lago in northern Italy, where two-year-old Viviana Maria Barel tragically passed away after choking on a piece of fruit during dinner.
The heartbreaking incident took place inside the family home, leaving her parents and siblings overwhelmed with grief and shock.
On the evening of June 14, as Viviana shared a meal with her siblings, the joyful toddler suddenly began to choke on a cherry.
Her father, Renato Barel, recounted the harrowing moments, recalling how a nurse living in the same building rushed to their aid and performed the Heimlich maneuver in an attempt to save her life.
Emergency medical personnel arrived swiftly, prepared to intubate and rush Viviana to the hospital, but despite their efforts, she succumbed to a lack of oxygen before help could reach her.
Renato described Viviana as a lively and joyful child whose bright spirit had touched everyone in the community. This sentiment resonated deeply throughout Revine Lago, where neighbors and friends gathered to support the grieving family. An official investigation has been opened to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
Viviana’s funeral, held on June 18 at the Church of San Matteo, brought the entire town to a solemn pause. Shops shuttered, and residents lined the streets in quiet respect as her small white coffin was carried through the town—nearly a year after her baptism. The moment was a testament to how deeply she had been loved in her short life.
Mayor Massimo Magagnin declared a day of mourning, expressing, “Our whole community stands with the family during this time of profound sorrow.” The parish priest, Don Angelino Granziera, spoke tenderly of Viviana as “a little girl who brought happiness wherever she went,” assuring those present that she was now “in the loving care of the Lord.” He emphasized that her radiant spirit would continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.
Following the service, Viviana was cremated, with her memorial inscription poignantly reading: “A precious gift to all of us—the love you sparked in our hearts will burn forever.” In a heartbreaking choice, her parents decided to wait until morning to share the devastating news with her older sisters, ages six and nine.
Viviana’s untimely death has left a void that cannot be filled. Yet, even in sorrow, her memory endures as a beacon of joy and love within her family and the wider community. Her story is a solemn reminder of life’s fragility and the profound impact a young child can have on countless lives. Though her time was brief, Viviana’s light remains forever imprinted on the hearts of those who loved her.