Thousands of tourists overrun small town in shocking video: Chaos, gridlock and hours of waiting
They wanted to give these tourists “the Boot.”Thousands of tourists inundated a picturesque Italian town this past weekend, creating a “gridlock” that obstructed traffic and forced other sightseers to wait “hours” to get in, as seen in dramatic footage circulating on X.The shocking scenes were recorded at Sirmione, a village of just over 8,000 residents that’s situated on the scenic shores of Lake Garda.The town has become a popular sightseeing destination due to its Roman ruins, thermal baths and Scaligero Castle, a majestic 13th-century fortification seemingly ripped straight out of a fairytale, the Times Of London reported.Unfortunately, this tranquil oasis turned into a mosh pit after a whopping 75,000 visitors descended on the waterfront hub over the May Day holiday weekend to visit the fortress, the Sun reported.
Alarming clips show throngs of travelers lining up at the gates and piling into Sirmione’s narrow passageways like the start of the Superbowl.Residents’ cars and electric buses reportedly became snarled in the foot traffic while visitors had to wait 40 minutes to enter through the gates to reach Sirmione’s town center.Locals were understandably displeased by the deluge.“Overrun by tourists — chaos, gridlock, and hours of waiting,” said one on X recalling the chaotic spectacle.
“A crisis that must be urgently addressed and regulated.It damages our heritage and turns the experience into a negative one.”Another disillusioned poster lamented: “Overtourism is what happens when presence is confused with existence.
Fast, loud, empty.Like fast fashion—disposable and harmful.
Travel less, mean more.”Marco Merlo, the president of the hotel and restaurant operators association, told the Times that he was “very worried about public safety and the quality of life for tourists, residents and workers.”“We hope the council will involve us in finding effective and widely agreed strategies,” he declared.Members of a local...