Tourist vehicles are prohibited from traveling through the 2,000-year-old site that was famously destroyed by a volcanic eruption in AD 79. The tourist, said to be 33, was immediately arrested by security at the Campania site on Wednesday and subsequently charged with “unauthorised access”. He is accused of traveling about a mile before he was caught. The tourist claimed he was unaware the world-renowned archaeological park was off limits. The park said in a statement that it did not access or destroy any part of the ancient city. “The route followed is a dirt road outside the ancient city walls, used by site vehicles for excavation work,” they said. “It is secure, renovated and not accessible to the public. So there was no risk either to the visitors or to the archaeological heritage at any point.” They stressed that the episode only lasted “a few minutes thanks to the efficient work of the security guards and CCTV”. Italian media reacted angrily to the incident, calling the Australian a “barbarian”. Authorities believe the man, who later apologized, entered the site through a gate used by maintenance vehicles. In June, two American tourists were fined €400 each after causing €25,000 (£21,000) in damage while walking – and then throwing – their e-scooters on the Spanish Steps. The 28-year-old woman and 29-year-old man were caught on camera at the world heritage site. According to Rome police, the woman “deliberately launched the scooter” down the 18th-century Trinità de Monti staircase. Rome’s heritage protection agency said it caused fractures on the 16th and 29th steps of the right staircase. Pompeii is one of the most important and fragile sites of the ancient world. Frozen in time by a volcanic eruption in AD 79.
