Capri Imposes Temporary Tourist Ban Due to Water Emergency
The Italian island of Capri faced a critical water emergency on Saturday, June 22, leading to a temporary ban on tourists disembarking on the island. The ban was issued by Capri Mayor Paolo Falco at 7 a.m., forcing several ferries, already en route to the island off Naples, to turn back. The island's water supply company had reported a technical problem on the mainland on Thursday, June 20, which, despite being resolved, left Capri with ongoing supply issues.
Mayor's Actions to Mitigate the Crisis
Mayor Paolo Falco warned of a 'real emergency situation,' stating that while there was still some water on the island, the reservoirs were on the verge of exhaustion. He emphasized that the arrival of thousands of tourists would aggravate the emergency. Residents were allowed to obtain 25 liters of drinking water per household from a tanker truck. The ban remained in effect until Saturday evening when the water supply problems were finally resolved.
Capri, known for its white villas, cove-lined coastline, and upscale hotels, has around 13,000 year-round residents and attracts large numbers of tourists, especially in the summer. The sudden disruption to the supply line in Castellammare di Stabia was cited as the cause of the problem, affecting the Sorrento peninsula and Capri. Despite repair work being completed, technical problems persisted, leading to the water shortage.
The daily newspaper Il Messaggero described the situation as a 'nightmare day for Capri,' highlighting the health and hygiene concerns. Mayor Falco activated a crisis team and issued a restrictive order to manage the situation. The order led to long queues at mainland ports as ticket sales were halted and ships already en route were instructed to turn back. Some companies refunded tickets or offered alternative tours to destinations like Ischia, Sorrento, or the Amalfi Coast.
- The water supply company, Gori, assured the public that it was doing everything possible to resolve the critical problems and restore service. They promised to keep the population informed about any updates. Despite the emergency, most parts of Capri still had water, with only a few remote areas in the municipality of Anacapri experiencing a complete lack of supply.
- The temporary tourist ban caused significant disruption, with many holidaymakers having to change their plans at the last minute. The situation underscored the importance of a reliable water supply for popular tourist destinations and the potential impact of technical failures on local communities and economies.
