Australian tourist apologises after being caught riding around Pompeii on a moped

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This was published 1 year ago

Australian tourist apologises after being caught riding around Pompeii on a moped

Updated
The tourist was seen on CCTV.

The tourist was seen on CCTV.Credit: Archaeological Park of Pompeii

An Australian tourist has apologised after he was caught riding a moped on the outskirts of the famed Italian archaeological site of Pompeii.

Local police apprehended the 33-year-old "after a few minutes" after he gained access to the park through a service gate.

The visitor reportedly said he was unaware that what he was doing was illegal.

In a statement, the park said the tourist hadn't accessed the main archaeological site itself.

"The stretch travelled is an avenue outside the walls of the ancient city, in beaten earth, used by companies engaged in excavation, safety and restoration works and not accessible to the public," said the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

"There was no danger neither for the visitors of the site nor for the archaeological heritage."

Napoli Today said the man was reported for unauthorised access to the archaeological park.

The excursion onto the Unesco World Heritage Site follows other recent misbehaving tourists in Italy.

In June, two American tourists were fined for €400 each for throwing electric scooters down Rome's Spanish Steps.

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The Italian capital has introduced several laws to tackle bad behaviour by travellers including the banning of eating, drinking or climbing on the Italian capital's monuments and fountains.

It didn't stop two American tourists from being fined €800 after they were caught drinking inside the Colosseum late at night.

It's not just the Italian capital which has suffered. Some German visitors in Venice were fined a total of €4000 this year for setting up a picnic – complete with tablecloth and wine glasses – on top of an 18th century landmark.

In 2019, a UK tourist was arrested for allegedly trying to take some mosaic tiles from Pompeii. It's believed she caused up to €3000 worth of damage.

Stuff.co.nz

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