This is the moment a giant cruise ship nearly plows into a Venice dock during a savage storm.
The captain of the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship battled raging weather on Sunday, scrambling as his vessel headed straight towards the dock.
Facing heavy winds, rain and high waves, the captain tried to steer the ship out of the port as he was guided by tug boats along the Giudecca Canal.
Shocking footage taken by bar patrons show the cruise approaching the dock and almost crushing nearby boats.
The boat had activated its emergency horn as crew members fled to safety.
Witness Alberto Peratoner told Ansa news agency: "We saw her coming almost on top of us.
"It was at the moment when the storm was at its most intense... [The ship] was having visible difficulty manoeuvring and was heading for the Riva San Biagio dock, veering slightly towards the Riva dei Sette Martiri."
The cruise managed to continue its planned route, according to a spokesperson for Costa Cruises.
They told the Mail Online: "The violent, extraordinary and sudden meteorological event that affected the entire North East this afternoon, also hit Costa Deliziosa with violent gusts that caused a detour during the passage in the Giudecca Canal in Venice...
"The Captain has always maintained control of the ship even in conditions of extreme and sudden difficulty.
"The ship has resumed its course to the planned destination."
Danilo Toninelli, Italy's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport has ordered an inspection while the city's prosecutor's office is carrying out investigations into the incident.
