Rome police: South African kicked out of Italy for flying drone near Vatican

A South African man has been ordered to leave Italy after flying his drone near the Vatican, Italian police said on Wednesday.

Police arrested the 25-year-old as he flew his drone over the main Via della Conciliazione that leads towards Saint Peter’s Square where the pope was leading Sunday prayers.

“He was given an order to leave the country and his drone and camera confiscated,” Rome police said in a statement.

The South African embassy declined to comment on his arrest and expulsion.

Under Rome’s strict security measures, it is illegal to overfly the city, including with a drone.

Two French tourists flying a drone near the Colosseum last year were fined around 3 000 euros ($3 500) and had their equipment confiscated and destroyed, police said.

Italy’s strict drone laws: Whatever you do, don’t fly one in Rome

According to UAV Systems, you can fly a drone in Italy but the laws around the practice are super strict. These are the drone laws that must be followed if you are bold enough:

• Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds – This is taken VERY seriously, there are many reports online of individuals being arrested and having their drones seized within minutes of takeoff when trying to fly them around tourist attractions with many people nearby
• Respect others’ privacy when flying your drone
• You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
• Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas including government or military facilities. Use of drones or camera drones in these areas are prohibited
• You may not fly your drone higher than 230 feet
• You may not fly your drone further than 650 feet horizontally or out of the visual line of sight, whichever is first
• Do not control your drone using goggles such as the DJI Goggles unless you have someone else next to you visually watching the drone at all times
• You may not carry dangerous goods on your drone
• You may not fly your drone over beaches (during summertime), national parks, urban areas, infrastructures, railways, highways, or industrial plants without prior permission
• You must stay at least 5km away from airports
• You must only fly your drone during daylight
• Your drone must weigh under 25kg
• You must keep your drone 50m away from persons/property not under the control of the drone operator
• You must carry third-party insurance if you will be using your drone for commercial use