A group of tourists from China found themselves in a terrifying ordeal when their gondola capsized in Venice, Italy after they ignored warnings to sit down and stop taking selfies. The incident occurred as the gondola was passing under a bridge near St. Mark's Square, and a video posted on TikTok captured the unfortunate moment. The gondolier had been attempting a challenging maneuver to navigate the small boat underneath the bridge, requiring the passengers to maintain balance and not shift around. However, the tourists disregarded the gondolier's instructions and continued to stand up and take pictures of themselves and the city's iconic landmarks.

As the passengers persisted in their actions, the gondola lost its stability and flipped over, plunging everyone into the frigid water. Distressed cries of "Oh my God" were heard from the tourists as they desperately clung to the overturned boat, struggling to pull themselves out of the canal. The gondolier, displaying an act of bravery, also plunged into the icy waters to assist the passengers, ensuring their safety by helping them onto a nearby rescue gondola.

Following the incident, the drenched tourists were provided with refuge and care at the La Fenice theatre. The Guardian reported that the venue extended its hospitality to the group, offering warmth and comfort as they recovered from the shock of their unexpected ordeal. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, bringing some relief amid the chaos.

The Venice Gondolier's Association's decision to reduce the capacity of gondolas in 2020 due to concerns about overweight passengers may have played a role in the incident. President Andrea Balbi acknowledged that tourists nowadays tend to weigh more than in previous years, leading to a modification in the maximum capacity of the boats. Smaller gondolas were reduced from carrying six to five people, while larger ones decreased from 14 to 12 passengers. Balbi explained that unlike elevators, gondolas do not have scales to weigh individuals, necessitating a precautionary approach to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

The tourists involved in the capsizing incident likely experienced the chilling effects of the cold water, as the average temperature in Venice during December hovers around 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite this, their fortunate escape from harm serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding safety instructions and respecting the guidelines set by local authorities and service providers.