A brawl erupted between tourists and souvenir shop owners in the Marina Grande port area of Capri, Italy, after shopkeepers reportedly asked a group to move their children away from the entrance to a shop. Footage shows several people throwing punches and kicks, with chairs also swung during the confrontation.
Chaotic scene in broad daylight
The fight reportedly broke out in broad daylight and lasted for several minutes. Mobile phone footage shows the confrontation already in full swing before it eventually comes to an end, with stunned tourists and locals looking on.
The row is said to have erupted after the shopkeepers asked for the youngsters to move away from the entrance, as reported by creatorzine.com. Footage of the ugly scenes was sent to Capri mayor Paolo Falco.
Officials call for greater security
Local officials have now said "greater security is urgently needed" following the brawl in the popular tourist area. The shop owners reportedly found themselves facing a group of holidaymakers who had children with them.
Mayor Falco said: "The reasons were trivial, but it was an extremely unpleasant incident. It is not, however, a security emergency. When two million people arrive, unfortunately, a dispute can happen. We have mobilised all available forces, together with the municipal police, to patrol the busiest areas."
MP demands action
The video was also shared online by Francesco Emilio Borrelli, an MP for the Greens and Left Alliance (AVS), who called for greater security on the popular holiday island. He said: "This is yet another brawl. Greater security is urgently needed. At night, a single patrol covers the island, and that is not good enough. Seeing people fighting with chairs, kicks and punches is unacceptable. Capri is one of Campania's main tourist destinations and deserves a level of security appropriate to its importance."
Mayor Falco said the island is also monitored by around 80 high-resolution CCTV cameras.
