Passengers are rescued after ferry smashes into rocks at Italian harbour when captain loses control
- Footage shows moment a ferry suffers a technical malfunction and crashes
- The incident took place at the small harbour of San Nicola Island, Italy, Sunday
- ‘Slight damage’ was done to ferry, which was due to transport tourists next week
An Italian passenger ferry crashed into the rocks of a port after the captain lost control due to an ‘technical issue’ on Sunday.
The incident took place as the Isola di Caprai ship tried to manoeuvre into the small harbour of San Nicola Island, in the Isole Tremiti archipelago near eastern Italy’s Apulia region.
Technical issues with the ferry meant the captain could not control the ship as it ran aground into the rocks doing ‘slight damage’ to the ship, reports local media.
In the video, the front of the boat can be seen running aground on the rocks as smaller boats move in closer.
After a minute or so the ship is re-floated, most likely using its own engines to reverse and left the port later that afternoon after inspection, reports The Maritime Bulletin.
Seven passengers were on board the boat with the crew at the time of the crash but none are believed to have been injured.
Emergency services went to the scene and divers were used to check how much the boat had been damaged, according to local media.
In the video, the front of the boat can be seen running aground on the rocks as smaller boats move in closer
The ferry had been due to bring tourists back to the island next week, the first visitors since the coronavirus pandemic begun. The ship connects the Tremiti Islands with the Italian peninsula
The ferry, owned by a company called Tirrenia, was reportedly tugged to the port for an investigation into the exact causes of the crash before being allowed to sail out of the port later on Sunday.
Marco Napolitano, owner of the local Hotel Gabbiano, said: ‘I hope it is not serious’ as the ferry was expected to bring the first tourists to the island next week as Italy begins to move out of coronavirus lockdown.’
The ferry can transport 522 passengers along with 57 vehicles and crew, and connects the Tremiti Islands with the Italian peninsula the whole year round.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing.