Australian tourist who rode his moped through the ruins of Pompeii is arrested and branded a ‘barbarian’ by furious Italian media

• An Australian tourist was arrested for driving through Pompeii ruins on a moped
• The 33-year-old man travelled for about a mile until he was detained by security
• The man was called a ‘barbarian’ by Italian media but he has since apologised 
• Do you who this man is? Let us know, email [email protected] 

Do you who this man is?

Let us know, email [email protected] 

An Australian tourist was arrested after he was caught riding his moped through the ancient ruins of Pompeii, Italy.

The ‘barbarian’, reported to be 33-years-old, was apprehended by security after travelling for about a mile around the world-famous archaeological park.

The tourist claimed he didn’t know that he wasn’t allowed to drive through the 2,000-year-old site which was famously destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. 

The UNESCO world heritage site does not allow tourist vehicles, and fortunately in this case the park confirmed no parts of the ancient city were accessed or damaged.

The man has since been charged with ‘unauthorised access’.

An Australian tourist, 33, has been charged in Italy, accused of driving his moped through the ancient city of Pompeii (pictured)

The park released a statement confirming no damage was done to the world heritage site

The park said in a statement: ‘The route taken is a dirt road outside the ancient city walls, used by site vehicles for excavation works.

‘It is safe, restored, and not accessible to the public. So there was no danger for either visitors or for the archaeological heritage at any point.’

The episode lasted only ‘a few minutes thanks to the efficient work by security guards and CCTV’, who then held him until police arrived. 

The Australian man, who was dubbed a ‘barbarian’ by Italian media, later apologised for the incident. Authorities believe he illegally entered the site through the service entrance, used by maintenance vehicles.

Earlier this year and woman and a male friend caused damage to the Spanish Steps in Rome with their rental scooters, after the woman hurled the vehicle down the steps

The news comes just weeks after two American tourists caused €25,000 of damage at the Spanish Steps in Rome by throwing e-scooters down them. 

In June, 28-year-old woman and 29-year-old man were fined €400 (£338) each after they were caught on camera ‘purposely’ launching a scooter down the 18th-century Trinità de Monti staircase.

Rome’s heritage protection body said it caused fractures to the 16th and 29th steps of the right-hand staircase.

Due to the woman intentionally pushing her scooter down the stairs, a more formal complaint was filed against her for damaging the sacred stairwell – an offense punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of at least €2,050.

A Saudi Arabian man was charged earlier this year for attempting to drive his rented Maserati down the stairs, breaking off a chunk of the travertine stone.

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