Tourists fall from gondola into murky Venice canal – video
A group of tourists in Venice had a terrifying experience when the gondola they were traveling in capsized, causing them to fall into the murky canal waters. The incident was captured on video and has since been widely shared online.
According to reports, the tourists, who were from China, were taking selfies and moving around the gondola when the gondolier attempted a tricky maneuver to navigate the vessel under a bridge close to the area of St Mark’s Square. The gondolier had reportedly instructed the passengers to sit down and stop taking photos, but they ignored his orders, causing the boat to tip over.
The gondolier also ended up in the water but managed to rescue the passengers and bring them to safety. The group was provided with hospitality and warmth at the nearby La Fenice theatre.
This incident highlights the dangers of disregarding safety instructions and the potential hazards of overcrowding and shifting weight on gondolas. In 2020, Venice’s gondoliers’ association reduced capacity on their boats, citing the increased burden of “overweight” tourists. The association reduced the maximum capacity on gondolas for hire from six to five people, and on gondolas from the stop boats used mainly to cross the Grand Canal, the number decreased from 14 to 12.
Unfortunately, incidents related to tourists taking selfies and not paying attention to their surroundings are not uncommon. In 2022, an American tourist sustained minor injuries after falling into the crater of Mount Vesuvius while trying to retrieve his phone, which had slipped out of his hand while taking a selfie.
This serves as a reminder for tourists to always prioritize safety and listen to the instructions of tour operators and guides, especially when enjoying the beautiful sights of popular destinations like Venice.