Katja Burkard’s Italian road trip halted by empty fuel tank

German RTL moderator Katja Burkard (61) and her husband, Austrian journalist Hans Mahr (77), ran out of fuel on the highway between Pisa and Genoa while returning from a cultural stop in Florence. The car stopped with the warning lights on, and the couple waited about an hour for a tow‑truck that arrived with a gasoline can. They spent the wait in 35 °C heat with snacks and six bottles of wine in the vehicle. Police later arrived, and Burkard used the moment for a light‑hearted remark, blaming the car. The incident cost the pair €148.

The episode was recorded on video for RTL and shared on social media, turning a minor mishap into a humorous travel anecdote.