At least three people have been killed after a high-speed power boat trying to set a record crashed into an artificial reef in Venice.
The crew led by champion speed boat racer Babio Buzzi, 76, was attempting to set the record for the race from Monte Carlo to Venice when the boat crashed on Tuesday.
Newspaper Corriere della Sera reported they had been racing for 18 hours and 32 minutes when the accident occurred, keeping an average speed of about 100 km per hour.
The boat was reportedly propelled over the dam and back into the water on the other side near the finish line at the Lido di Venezia.
Italian firefighters say three people on board the speedboat were killed and a fourth person badly injured.
The cause of the collision is under investigation.
Mr Buzzi won 10 world championships after beginning his racing career over 40 years ago.
He also founded FB Design Group, which makes Rigid Hull Inflatable boats.
The company's boats have set 40 world speed records and won 52 world championships.
It comes fourth months after a cruise ship crashed into a tourist boat in Venice, injuring four people.
