In Venice, a gondola capsized after a group of Chinese tourists declined to take their seats. The incident was captured in photos by Getty Images and shared on TikTok by Luca Ultra Effe.


December 8, 2023

A group of tourists visiting Venice recently experienced an unexpected and chilly mishap when their attempt at taking selfies in a renowned gondola went awry, leaving them wet and shivering. The incident occurred as the tourists, reportedly from China, neglected warnings from their gondolier about the potential risks associated with standing and moving around in the boat.

The gondolier, tasked with navigating a challenging passage beneath a bridge near St. Mark's Square, repeatedly requested the group to remain seated. Despite these warnings, the tourists persisted in their actions, leading to the unfortunate capsizing of the gondola. In an attempt to assist his passengers, the gondolier also found himself in the canal, working swiftly to ensure everyone's safety.

Following the waterlogged ordeal, the group found refuge and warmth at the nearby La Fenice theatre upon returning to solid ground. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding local instructions and respecting the guidelines provided by those familiar with the unique challenges posed by Venice's iconic waterways.

Venice, grappling with the repercussions of mass tourism, has implemented measures to address the strain placed on the city by large numbers of visitors. In 2020, the Venice Gondoliers' Association took steps to reduce the capacity of their boats, attributing the decision to the additional burden caused by "overweight" tourists.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro reinforced the city's commitment to preserving its cultural and environmental heritage in 2022. He strongly criticized individuals attempting to surf the Grand Canal, denouncing them as "two arrogant imbeciles" who mocked the city. These surfers faced significant fines, and their surfboards were confiscated as a consequence of their actions.

Moreover, Venice has implemented restrictions on cruise ships entering its waters as part of efforts to safeguard the city's UNESCO World Heritage status. These limitations include a ban on ships exceeding 5,000 tons, those longer than 590 feet, or possessing characteristics that could contribute to pollution or harm the delicate marine environment surrounding Venice.

In the face of such challenges, Venice continues to grapple with finding a balance between preserving its cultural treasures and managing the impact of tourism on its fragile infrastructure and unique aquatic landscape. The incident involving the capsized gondola serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of responsible tourism practices to ensure the sustainability of this historic city.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Gladiator’s Skeleton In York Shows Evidence Of Lion Combat

A fascinating discovery in York, England, has given researchers new insights into ancient Roman combat. Archaeologists have found a skeleton....

White House Reports Success At Canada-U.S. Border Amid Tariffs

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the successes at the Canada-U.S. border during a briefing on Tuesday. She mentioned....

Record 7.3 Million Canadians Cast Votes In Advance Polls: Elections Canada

A new record was set in Canada as 7.3 million people cast their votes during the advance polls, according to....

Scientists discover rare signs of Earth's layers peeling beneath Sierra Nevada

Seismologist Deborah Kilb made an exciting discovery while analyzing earthquake data from California. While reviewing the past four decades of....

Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over $2.2 Billion Funding Freeze

Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, aiming to stop a freeze on over $2.2 billion....

Canada’s Election Focus Shifts From Climate To Energy Plans

As Canada gets ready to vote on April 28, concerns about climate change have taken a back seat. This time,....

Canada’s Election Heats Up As Liberals Hold Narrow Lead

Canada’s federal election is entering its final week, and the race is now neck and neck. A new poll shows....

Trump May Cut Another $1 billion From Harvard Over Policy Dispute

The Trump administration plans to remove another $1 billion in federal funding from Harvard University. This decision comes as tensions....

Oldest American Astronaut Don Pettit Returns To Earth On 70th Birthday

Don Pettit, America’s oldest active astronaut, landed safely back on Earth on his 70th birthday. He traveled in a space....

Advance Voting Grows As Poilievre Slams Carney For Inflation

Canadians kept showing up at advance polls on Sunday, making the most of early voting. While people lined up to....

Record Turnout Across Canada At Advance Polls As Voters Flock To Cast Ballots Early

Advance voting in Canada’s 2025 federal election has reached historic levels. On Good Friday alone, over 2 million people cast....

Trump Says Tariffs Boost U.S. Wealth, Promises Trade Talks

President Donald Trump made it clear this week that he isn’t stepping away from his global tariff strategy. Despite growing....