Gondola Drama in Venice: Chinese Tourists Capsize Boat Over Selfie Dispute

In another incident adding to the series of tourist misadventures in Italy, a group of Chinese tourists made headlines as their gondola ride in Venice took a drastic turn. Refusing the gondolier’s instructions to sit down and cease taking selfies, the tourists were plunged into the chilly waters of the Rio de la Verona canal when their boat capsized while navigating under a bridge.

The gondolier’s attempts to maintain balance were thwarted, despite warnings to sit still. Both the tourists and the gondolier ended up in the water, with the latter aiding in the rescue. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but a cell phone was lost, and the gondola’s blankets and chairs ended up in the canal. As a lesson from the incident, the bottom line is clear: always heed the gondolier’s instructions. This occurrence concludes a year marked by Venice residents being outnumbered by tourists, the city facing UNESCO‘s “World Heritage Sites in Danger” designation, and the announcement of a day-tripper fee set to be implemented in 2024.