Tourist Boat Capsizes in Northern Italy: Four Deaths Reported From Lake Maggiore

Latest reports showed that a boat carrying 22 tourists capsized in Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy.

Four casualties were recorded as search and rescue operations deployed.

Lake Maggiore is considered one of the largest lakes in Italy. According to Britannica, the lake has 82 square smiles.

A tourist boat capsized in Northern Italy

(Photo : GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Lake Maggiore, North Italy on May 24, 2023. A boat carrying 22 tourists capsized in Northern Italy. Four people died after being recovered from Lake Maggiore.

Based on the BBC and CNN reports, four people reportedly died after the boat sank in Northern Italy on Sunday, May 28 (evening).

Sky Tg24 revealed that the victims were identified as two Italians, one Russian and one Israeli, two of whom are males, and the other two females.

The report showed the boat was 52 feet (16 meters) and carrying 24 people. The tourists were 22 people on board.

Thd BBC reported that the passengers were supposed to celebrate their birthday, adding that the bad weather caused the boat to encounter difficulty.

Immediately, authorities conducted search and rescue operations to look for the missing passengers.

The situation became challenging when the boat experienced difficulty on the ocean due to a storm.

The report explained that the boat capsized around 7:30 p.m. (local time).

The survivors decided to swim to the nearest shore as the boat sank immediately.

Based on reports, all the survivors did not have any severe injuries. However, the five people were brought to the nearest hospital.

AccuWeather also reported the boat accident.

What to do when a boat capsizes

While no one expects a boat to capsize, staying prepared and alert is best. Knowing how to react in a dangerous situation could save you from injuries and death.

Here are essential reminders that people should remember if there is an emergency on boats.

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Stay calm and look for a life jacket.

It would help if you stayed calm while on the boat. Immediately look for the nearest life jacket, ensuring your children wear it.
It is essential to properly put on your vest by tightening your life jacket.
Look for your family members and stay together until you look for an emergency boat to bring you ashore.
Check also if there are emergency signals that could transmit a distress situation. Meanwhile, a whistle is also a lifesaver on the water. You can blow the whistle if someone is nearby.
Ultimately, it is best to stay calm until the immediate help arrives.

Check the weather conditions.

Tourists or passengers must observe the weather conditions. If there is a coming strong storm or the weather becomes severe

After the boat capsizes

Passengers should look for their family members' situations if they are not together. It is advisable to inform the authorities that could help with the search and rescue operations.
Furthermore, you should also call your family that you are in a safe state so that they would not worry.
If it is needed or you suffer from injuries, immediately seek medical assistance.