Tragic Gondola Accident in Venice Leads to Major Compensation for German Family
In a significant legal development over a decade after a tragic gondola accident in Venice, a German family has been awarded a substantial compensation package following the death of their husband and father. The incident, which occurred in August 2013, claimed the life of a 50-year-old man from Baden-Württemberg during a family vacation in the iconic Italian city.
The family had been enjoying a gondola ride on the Canal Grande when their vessel collided with a Vaporetto, one of the city's public transport boats, near the Rialto Bridge. The collision resulted in the man falling into the water and being trapped between the boat and the pier, ultimately leading to his death. His daughter sustained injuries during the accident.
The Italian appeals court has awarded the victim's widow and their three children a total compensation of four million euros, a significant increase from an earlier ruling that had denied their claim. The family's lawyer confirmed that the previous decision had been overturned, although the widow noted that the announced compensation amount might be inflated.
While the verdict is currently not legally binding, there remains a possibility that the case could advance to a higher court in Italy. The compensation breakdown indicates that the city's transport authorities, responsible for the operation of the Vaporetto services, are liable for 2.2 million euros, while the gondola operators are accountable for the remaining 1.8 million euros.
The gondolier involved in the accident had initially reported losing control of the gondola while attempting to maneuver through the busy canal. It was later revealed that he jumped from the gondola without warning his passengers, which raised serious concerns about adherence to safety protocols among the operators involved.
Prior to the civil proceedings, multiple criminal trials had taken place, resulting in the conviction of several gondola and Vaporetto operators for gross negligence. In 2015, three Vaporetto drivers and one gondolier were sentenced to suspended prison terms for their roles in the incident, as investigations found that their actions had contributed to the tragic outcome.
The family's attorney expressed satisfaction with the court's latest ruling, emphasizing the importance of accountability for the safety of passengers in Venice's waterways. He highlighted that the incident was exacerbated by a gondoliers' failure to follow operating regulations, which escalated the risks involved in navigating the busy canals.