# Venice lagoon boat collision fatalities

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/venice-lagoon-boat-collision-fatalities
> Updated: 2026-09-15T10:46:00.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 2.

A fatal collision between a water taxi and a small motorboat in the Venice lagoon has resulted in the deaths of a newlywed couple. The victims, identified as 25-year-old Italian fisherman Sean Michieli and his 26-year-old pregnant Brazilian wife, Gabriella Querino, had been married for only three months.

The accident occurred in the Tessera Canal between Venice's airport and St. Mark's Square. Michieli was rescued from the water but died at a hospital due to severe head trauma. Following a multi-day search involving divers, helicopters, and sonar, Querino’s body was recovered near the island of Campalto. Venice Mayor Simone Venturini confirmed the discovery and expressed condolences to the families.

The Venice Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the incident as a nautical homicide. The 38-year-old water taxi driver is under investigation. While the driver claimed he did not see the small boat due to darkness and potential fog, police noted that the severity of the damage suggests the taxi was traveling at a high speed, estimated at at least 40 kilometers per hour. City police commander Marco Agostini noted ongoing concerns regarding water taxi operators speeding to increase earnings by transporting more customers.

## Claims

- The body of a 26-year-old woman was found in the Venetian lagoon following a multi-day search. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A 25-year-old Italian man died in a hospital following the accident. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The victims, an Italian man and a Brazilian woman, had been married for three months. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The water taxi was reportedly traveling at a speed of at least 40 kilometers per hour at the time of the collision. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- City police commander Marco Agostini noted that water taxi drivers often speed to increase earnings by transporting more customers. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-15: Istanbul and Venice report fatal shooting and boat accident

Fatal incidents reported in Istanbul, where a shooting in a tourist district left three dead, and Venice, where a water taxi collision killed a newlywed couple.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venice-lagoon-collision-kills-two-after-water-taxi-impact

### 2026-09-14: Venice boat collision kills newlywed couple

A newlywed couple, Sean Michieli and pregnant wife Gabriella Querino, have died following a boat collision with a water taxi in the Venice Lagoon. Authorities have launched a nautical homicide investigation.

29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/salento-communities-honor-lorena-isceri-and-rebecca-pepe

---
Cite as: Venice lagoon boat collision fatalities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/venice-lagoon-boat-collision-fatalities