TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from Italy: ilgazzettino.it, leggo.it.
UK coverage: The Telegraph.

Panic erupted in Venice on Sunday, December 3rd, when a gondola carrying tourists capsized in the Rio de la Verona, in the San Marco district, just steps away from the La Fenice theater. According to initial reports, the tourists of Oriental origin did not follow the gondolier’s instructions and, while trying to take photos, not only ended up in the water but also caused the boat to capsize. The gondolier himself came to their aid. Thankfully, the water was shallow, so there was no serious danger. However, the incident caused a lot of fear, especially due to the cold and the weight of the soaked heavy clothing, making it difficult to rescue the guests.

The incident occurred in the Rio de la Verona, near La Fenice, as the gondola was about to pass under a bridge using a usual maneuver that requires careful weight distribution on board. The “disobedient” tourists, however, moved despite the gondolier shouting at them not to and to stay still because any movement was dangerous. Most of the weight ended up on one side, causing the gondola to capsize. The gondolier, who also ended up in the water, first managed to bring one of the tourists to shore. Then he dived in and rescued the others.

The incident was captured by passersby and residents, and the video was shared on Facebook by the page “Venezia non è Disneyland” (Venice is not Disneyland). The footage shows terrified vacationers desperately trying to hold onto the boat. This incident is part of a larger issue of inconsiderate behavior by tourists in Venice, as documented by the same social media account.

The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who have long been frustrated with the disrespectful behavior of tourists in Venice. This is not the first time a gondola has capsized due to tourists’ negligence, and it is a stark reminder of the need to be mindful of the city’s delicate ecosystem. The incident serves as a warning to all tourists to be respectful of the city and its inhabitants, and to adhere to the instructions of the gondoliers.