Colossal Cruise Liner Plows into Dock in Venice
Ship Crashes into Tour Boat and Wharf
ROME - A colossal cruise liner plowed into a much smaller tour ship and a wharf on Sunday in one of the most picturesque and sensitive landmarks in Venice: The Grand Canal. Four people aboard the smaller ship were injured, two of them seriously, in the crash, which sent passengers and tourists running for safety.
Heart of Venice Damaged
The crash took place just before 9am in the heart of Venice, in the busy Grand Canal, near the tourist hotspot of St. Mark's Square. The 13-deck MSC Opera, with more than 2,600 passengers and crew on board, was heading out of Venice when it clipped the River Countess, a Viking river cruise ship, and then crashed into the wharf. The crash caused extensive damage to both ships and the wharf.
Urgent Investigation
The Italian authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. The captain of the MSC Opera has been questioned, and the ship's black box has been seized. It is not yet known what caused the crash, but the authorities are investigating whether human error or a technical fault was to blame. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro called the incident "a disaster" and said it was "unacceptable" that such a large ship was allowed to sail in the narrow canals of Venice.
Unforgettable Impression
The crash has left many wondering whether such enormous cruise ships should be allowed in Venice at all. These vessels dwarf the historic city and its fragile buildings, and environmentalists have long warned that they could damage the city's foundations and ecosystem. The crash has brought this issue to the fore, and it is now likely that there will be a debate about the future of cruise ships in Venice.
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