Posted: 12:26, August 13, 2022 | Updated: 13:39, 13 August 2022
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An Australian tourist has been arrested after being caught riding his moped through the ancient ruins of Pompeii, Italy. The ‘barbarian’, who is said to be 33, was arrested by security after traveling for about a mile around the world-famous archaeological park. The tourist claimed he didn’t know he wasn’t allowed to drive through the 2,000-year-old site that was famously destroyed by a volcanic eruption in AD 79. The UNESCO World Heritage site does not allow tourist vehicles, and fortunately in this case the park confirmed that no part of the ancient city was accessed or damaged. The man has since been charged with “unauthorized access”. An Australian tourist, 33, has been charged in Italy, accused of riding his moped into the ancient city of Pompeii (pictured) The park issued a statement confirming that there was no damage to the world heritage site The park said in a statement: “The route followed is a dirt road outside the ancient city walls, used by site vehicles for excavation work. “It is secure, renovated and not accessible to the public. So there was no danger either to the visitors or to the archaeological heritage at any point.’ The episode only lasted “a few minutes thanks to the efficient work of the security guards and CCTV”, who then detained him until the police arrived. The Australian, who was called a “barbarian” by the Italian media, later apologized for the incident. Authorities believe he illegally entered the site through the service entrance, which was used by maintenance vehicles. Earlier this year, a woman and a male friend damaged the Spanish Steps in Rome with their rented scooters after the woman threw the vehicle down the steps The news comes just weeks after two American tourists caused €25,000 worth of damage to the Spanish Steps in Rome by throwing their e-scooters. In June, a 28-year-old woman and 29-year-old man were fined €400 each after they were caught on camera “deliberately” rolling a scooter down the 18th-century Trinità de Monti staircase. Rome’s heritage protection agency said it caused fractures in the 16th and 29th steps of the right staircase. Because the woman deliberately pushed her scooter down the stairs, a more formal complaint was filed against her for vandalism – an offense punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of at least €2,050. A man from Saudi Arabia was charged earlier this year for trying to drive his rented Maserati down the stairs, breaking a piece of the travertine stone.
