A Splash in the Venice Canal... British Couple's Vacation Ends as Soon as It Begins

Forced to Return Home as Vacation Begins
Each Fined 450 Euros and Expelled from Venice for 48 Hours
1,136th Disciplinary Action for Disorderly Conduct... Only 10 Related to Swimming

View of the Venice canal where swimming is prohibited. Pixabay

A British couple who jumped into the Venice canal was forced to return home just as their vacation began.

According to the BBC in the UK and CNN in the US on September 15 (local time), a 35-year-old British man and his 25-year-old Romanian girlfriend were arrested after being reported by gondola operators. Each was fined 450 euros (approximately 730,000 won) and expelled from Venice for 48 hours. This was the 1,136th disciplinary action taken this year in Venice due to disorderly behavior by tourists.

The couple jumped into the water near the Accademia Bridge, close to St. Mark's Square, and gondoliers at the Rio San Vidal gondola station immediately reported the incident to the authorities. Police removed the couple from the canal and took action. A Venice city council member stated, "We thank the gondoliers for their swift cooperation and reporting. Venice must be protected from those who do not respect it," adding, "Protecting the city means ensuring the dignity of both residents and tourists who visit with a mature attitude."

Swimming in the Venice canals is strictly prohibited due to reasons including boat traffic, water quality, and safety. According to the Venice Tourism Department, about 10 out of the 1,136 expulsion orders issued this year were related to swimming in the canals. The deputy chief of the Venice city police told CNN, "This year, we have issued a total of 1,136 expulsion orders related to disorderly and uncivilized behavior," and added, "Misconduct by tourists is one of the worst byproducts of overtourism, and such incidents are increasing."

In Venice, where swimming is prohibited, gondoliers operating gondolas reported to the authorities after a British couple jumped into the canal. Photo by Pixabay

Previously, in July 2024, an Australian man was fined and expelled after a video of him diving from the Rialto Bridge spread on social media. In 2023, two French tourists were fined and expelled for swimming naked. In August 2022, a German man was fined and expelled for surfing in the canal.

Venice authorities, struggling with overtourism, are tightening regulations to strike a balance between maintaining tourism revenue and protecting residents' quality of life. During summer weekends and peak seasons, a daily visitor admission fee of 10 euros (about 16,000 won) is charged. Group tours of more than 25 people, the use of loudspeakers or megaphones, and group explanations in narrow alleys are also prohibited.