A cliff has collapsed on swimmers and boats at a popular tourist spot.
Dramatic footage captured the heart-stopping moment the cliff gave way, sending rocks, boulders and a huge cloud of dust crashing towards moored vessels.
The debris tumbled onto the beach below, generating a thick plume of dust that billowed out over the sea.
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It occurred after a landslide struck the Trave area of Portonovo, Italy, on Sunday (14 Jun).
Tourists on nearby boats and canoes filmed the event as the dust cloud enveloped part of the bay.
No one was reported as injured in the landslip.
The beach directly beneath the unstable cliff has long been closed to the public because of the ongoing risk of collapses.
Such events are well-known along this stretch of coast, often triggered by alternating rain and high temperatures that weaken the limestone cliffs.
The area’s vulnerability has prompted repeated safety restrictions for both beachgoers and boaters.
In August 2022, another landslide at the same location sent boulders and debris into the sea, again with no injuries or boat damage thanks to adherence to local bans, as reported by Need To Know.
Local authorities and regional politicians have called for urgent monitoring and structural interventions.
Andrea Nobili, regional councillor for the Greens and Left Alliance, recently demanded “constant monitoring and a structured response to secure the San Michele-Sassi Neri cliff and the entire Conero coast” following yet another close call.
Portonovo lies on the Conero Riviera south of Ancona, a popular destination known for its dramatic cliffs, pebble beaches and clear waters.
The bay attracts thousands of tourists and boaters each summer, but the geological instability of the Monte Conero promontory continues to pose risks.
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