Italian island of Capri bans tourists due to water shortage

(Patria) - The Italian island of Capri yesterday banned tourists from arriving due to a water shortage caused by supply problems from the mainland.

The mayor of Capri, Paolo Folco, declared the ban at 7 a.m., causing several ferries already en route to the island to turn back.

The company responsible for supplying water to the island announced that it had technical difficulties on Thursday, and although it later stated that it had resolved them, Capri still lacks water.

During the declaration of the ban, Folco warned of a genuine emergency, saying that although there was some water on the island on Friday, the reservoirs were emptying.

- The situation is worsening with the arrival of thousands of tourists every day on Capri - Folco said.

Residents of this island near Naples are entitled to 25 liters of drinking water per household.

- The ban on tourist arrivals will remain in effect until further notice - Folco added.

Capri, an island known for its white villas, coves, and luxury hotels, has about 13,000 inhabitants.