View of the flooded Piazza Navona, Rome. by Antonio Joli (1700-1777). 

Floods and Shipwrecks at the Mediterranean basin

Mediterranean 17.04.2024. The Mediterranean Basin, with its extensive coastline and numerous islands, has a history of shipwrecks and floods due to its geographical and climatic conditions. These events have shaped the region's history, culture, and maritime practices. As the 1st Mediterranean Lifesaving Championships is getting close, you may want to learn some of these events that impacted seriously the local populations.

Shipwrecks

Throughout history, the Mediterranean Sea has witnessed numerous shipwrecks due to various reasons, such as storms, piracy, navigational errors, and geographical challenges like reefs and rocks. Some famous shipwrecks include:

• The Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient Greek analog computer found in a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera, dating back to around 100 BCE.
• The Uluburun Shipwreck: A Bronze Age shipwreck discovered off the coast of Turkey, dating back to the 14th century BCE, which contained valuable cargo and artifacts.
• The Mary Rose: An English warship from the Tudor period that sank in the late 16th century and was later raised in 1982.
• The SS Thistlegorm: A British cargo ship sunk by German bombers during World War II in 1941, now a popular dive site.

Floods

Mediterranean Basin countries are prone to floods due to heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or coastal flooding caused by storm surges. Some notable flood events include:

• The Great Flood of Rome (1557): A severe flood that hit Rome, causing extensive damage to the city and its historical sites.
• The 1961 Mediterranean Floods: A series of floods that affected several Mediterranean countries, including Italy, France, and Spain, causing significant loss of life and property damage.
• The 1994 Mediterranean Floods: Heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding in countries like Spain, France, and Italy, causing landslides, damage to infrastructure, and loss of life.
• The 2000 Corsica Floods: Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the French island of Corsica, resulting in landslides, damage to infrastructure, and loss of life.

These shipwrecks and floods have shaped the Mediterranean Basin's history, culture, and maritime practices, while also providing valuable insights into the region's past and its response to natural disasters. The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation is an umbrella organization of lifesaving organizations that strive to enhance drowning prevention through lifesaving sport.