ROME: The Italian Island of Capri on Saturday barred tourists from disembarking after problems with the water supply from the mainland threatened to make the holiday resort parched.
The ban by Capri mayor Paolo Falco forced several ferries and small boats on their way to the island from Naples and Sorrento in southern Italy to return.
The company responsible for supplying water to the island said there had been a technical issue on the mainland since Thursday. It said the technical staff was trying to fix the problem as early as possible.
Falco warned of “a real emergency” and said that as there was still plenty of water on most of the island the local tanks were running out.
He added the situation could be worsened by the arrival of the thousands of tourists who arrive on the island of Capri daily. He said that the local population could collect up to 25 litres of drinking water per household from a supply tanker.
The ban, which does not apply to residents, will be in place until further notice. Capri, in the Bay of Naples, is known for its cove-studded coastline, white villas and upscale hotels. There are some 13,000 permanent residents on the island but huge numbers of day-trippers visit the tourist resort in the summer season.
