Cruise Ship Crashes Into Dock And Tourist Boat In Venice
A massive cruise ship lost control and crashed into a dock and a tourist boat in Venice on Sunday morning, June 2, 2019. The accident occurred at San Basilio-Zattere, an area of the Canal Grande that's not far from the popular St. Mark's Square.
The MSC Opera, a 275-metre-long liner that can carry over 2,500 passengers, was trying to dock at a terminal when it suddenly keeled over, hit a smaller riverboat docked at the dock, and then crashed into the dock itself.
What Happened?
The incident occurred around 8.30am, when the cruise ship was unable to stop its momentum and crashed into the smaller tourist boat, which was also docked at the terminal. At least four people were injured in the crash, two of them seriously. The injured passengers were taken to the hospital, and there were no fatalities reported.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident, with some people speculating that strong winds may have played a role in the accident. Meanwhile, the captain of the ship has been placed under investigation, and the ship has been impounded for further investigations.
What's The Fallout?
The incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of cruise ships sailing through the lagoon city, a controversial issue that many residents and environmentalists have opposed for years. The incident has also raised questions about the safety of large cruise ships in narrow and crowded waterways, such as the ones found in Venice.
Following the incident, the city's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, announced that he would be calling for a ban on large cruise ships sailing through the city's historic center. He added that the incident was a wake-up call for the Italian government and that he would be demanding that they take immediate action to address the issue.
What's The Impact On Tourism?
The incident has also raised concerns about the impact it will have on the city's tourism industry, which is a major source of revenue for the city. Venice attracts more than 30 million tourists annually, and the cruise industry is a significant contributor to the local economy.
However, some industry experts believe that the incident may not have a significant impact on tourism, as it was an isolated incident that did not involve any fatalities. They added that the city's unique cultural and historic attractions would continue to attract tourists to the city.
Conclusion
The incident has raised questions about the safety of large cruise ships sailing through narrow and crowded waterways, and has brought attention to the issue of cruise ships in Venice. While the incident has caused concern about the impact it may have on the city's tourism industry, it is likely that Venice will continue to attract visitors with its unique cultural and historic attractions.