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Tourists' shocking $40,000 e-scooter act at famous tourist attraction

Two American tourists have been fined by Italian authorities after one caused $A37,000 worth of damage to a historic landmark in Rome.

Police said a 28-year-old woman "purposefully" threw her rental electric scooter down the iconic Spanish Steps in the early hours of last Friday morning, causing a chunk of marble to be dislodged, according to reports.

This incident occurred on June 3 at around 2.45 am and was captured on security footage.

The man and woman were captured with their e-scooters on the Spanish steps in Rome. Source: Polizia Roma Capitale
The man and woman were captured with their e-scooters on the Spanish steps in Rome. Source: Polizia Roma Capitale

The man, 29, can be seen holding his scooter by the handlebars as he walks down the steps, while the 28-year-old woman throws hers from halfway down.

The pair were stopped by police and fined $A600 (€400) each. They were also banned from going to the Piazza di Spagna for two days, local reports said.

"One of our patrols stopped a couple of tourists during the night between Thursday and Friday for damaging the Trinità de Monti staircase with a scooter," Italian police wrote on Facebook.

"The two, of American nationals 28 years old her and 29 him, were stopped by the agents of the Trevi Group and at the end of the investigations they were both fined for a total amount of 800 euros."

The fines are “in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Police Regulations”, police said, according to CNN.

The incident comes less than a month after a Saudi man was arrested for allegedly driving a rented Maserati sports car down the Spanish Steps, also causing damage.

The Spanish Steps are among Rome’s most celebrated monuments.

The people of Rome appeared furious after seeing the post on Facebook with some calling for stricter punishment.

The Spanish Steps are among Rome's most celebrated monuments. Source: Getty
The Spanish Steps are among Rome's most celebrated monuments. Source: Getty

"Make them pay the damages and for 3 years you won't set foot in Rome," one suggested.

"A fair penalty could have been 5000 euros fine and sentenced for 3 months in prison, plus compensation for damages. Also a lifetime ban on the permit to enter Italy.

Another woman called them "ignorant" for damaging the steps.

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