Seven hurt in Venice vaporetto crash

(ANSA) - Venice, October 17 - Seven passengers were hurt when a vaporetto hit a barge in Venice's Giudecca Canal Friday. The barge was reportedly laying mooring poles with a crane, when the two vessels collided, and one of the poles reportedly thrust into the passenger cabin and pierced it from side to side.
    A 54-year-old Venetian woman was hospitalized with arm injuries while another six were slightly hurt with contusions and whiplash. They were also taken to hospital, and most have been released.
    The vaporetto was carrying about 30 passengers.
    Accident investigators said the crash may have been caused by a mechanical malfunction in one of the two vessels, both of which have been seized.