Venice boat collision: Autopsy reveals fatal impact details

Autopsy results have provided new details regarding the deaths of a young married couple, Gabriella Elorriaga Querino, 26, and Sean Michieli, 25, following a boat collision in the Venice lagoon.

The incident occurred on September 12 on the Tessera Canal when their small boat collided with a water taxi. Forensic examinations conducted at the Hospital dell’Angelo in Mestre revealed that both victims died instantly from the impact. Notably, medical examiners found no water in their lungs, confirming they were not drowning but succumbed to severe injuries.

Both victims sustained extensive and deep trauma exclusively to the left side of their bodies. This finding suggests the keel of the water taxi may have struck and crushed them. Authorities have scheduled a technical expert assessment for September 24 to determine the exact trajectory and speed of the vessels to establish liability.