Eight people in minivan plunge into Venetian canal; three dead

A minivan carrying eight people crashed into a canal in the Chioggia area of Venice on Friday, killing three occupants and forcing a rescue operation.

According to La Repubblica, the vehicle went into the water along the Sant'Anna Canal (Idrovia Sant'Anna). Six people managed to exit the vehicle and save themselves, while three remained trapped.

Emergency services responded to the accident, though details about the cause of the crash remain unclear. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the lagoon city's waterway infrastructure.

Venice authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or provided additional details about the victims' conditions. The investigation into what caused the vehicle to leave the road is ongoing.

The accident occurred in Chioggia, a municipality in the Venetian lagoon southeast of central Venice.