Venice: Venice gondolas
Photo: Simone Sorella

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Moldovan heroine can stay in Venice

Authorities in Venice have; allowed an illegal immigrant to stay in Italy after she saved the life of her elderly Venetian employer.

Moldovan housekeeper Victoria Gojan woke up in the night smelling gas. She found her employers Umberto Viviani and Angela Pellarin, aged 87 and 89, asleep in their bed unaware of the danger.

She managed to phone a nephew of the family before passing out. Pellarin's life was saved but Viviani died. Under Italian law the Moldovan should have been deported but the mayor of Venice has used special powers to grant a residency permit.

She is believed to be the first person in Italy to have been granted residency for an act of heroism.

This article was written for TravelSavvy Europe by Val Adams. For more information see: Venice - Overview. If you know of an interesting European travel related news story, please get in contact.

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