charlie 189

WATCH: Out of control cruise ship slams into port in Venice

Reigniting the debate for a ban on liners in the city


A 65,000-ton cruise ship slammed into a small tourist boat and then into a Venetian dock on Sunday morning, sending panicked onlookers running for safety.

After a week-long sojourn to other Mediterranean cities, the 2,100-passenger cruise MSC Opera was set to disembark in the San Basilio Terminal on the Giudecca Canal before it hit a smaller boat and crashed into the dock. The canal is one of the busiest ports in the city packed with tourists. Four people suffered from minor injuries while trying to flee.

While the exact cause for the crash is hazy, MSC Cruises stated the ship experienced a technical issue while mooring at the dock.

The disaster sparked the age-old debate of whether ships should be banned in the Giudecca Canal. In 2013, the government had banned ships that weigh 96,000 tons, but the legislation was overturned a month later due to a lack of alternate routes. However, now ministers feel the crash proved the need for a ban on liners. Critics agree, saying cruise ships pollute the waters and mar the beauty of Venice.

Only time will tell whether the Government of Venezia will ban cruises. Until then, here’s a video of the disaster:


Follow Us


GQ India | VOGUE India | Architectural Digest

Global Presence

© 2019 Condé Nast India