Rome:
Five Italians on Saturday dived into the River Tiber in Rome from the Cavour Bridge, a height of more than 50 feet (17 metres).
The event is a New Year tradition dating back to 1946, when a lifeguard who was trying to find work leapt into the waters from the Cavour Bridge to advertise his skills.
Since then, it has caught on as an annual event.
Hundreds of people gathered to watch the men plunge from the bridge; the oldest was 58-year-old Maurizio Palmulli, whose dive was his 23rd.
The stunt is regarded as dangerous, as the waters of the Tiber are cold and muddy and the river is not really deep enough for a dive from such a height.
One of the divers, Simone Carabella, said he was diving "to respect a promise".
"Three years ago I promised to the citizens of Albano (town near Rome) to dive into the Tiber if I could block (the building of) the incinerator of Albano (town near Rome). Well, with my group we succeeded to stop the plant, so now I'm respecting my promise," he explained.
The event is a New Year tradition dating back to 1946, when a lifeguard who was trying to find work leapt into the waters from the Cavour Bridge to advertise his skills.
Since then, it has caught on as an annual event.
Hundreds of people gathered to watch the men plunge from the bridge; the oldest was 58-year-old Maurizio Palmulli, whose dive was his 23rd.
The stunt is regarded as dangerous, as the waters of the Tiber are cold and muddy and the river is not really deep enough for a dive from such a height.
One of the divers, Simone Carabella, said he was diving "to respect a promise".
"Three years ago I promised to the citizens of Albano (town near Rome) to dive into the Tiber if I could block (the building of) the incinerator of Albano (town near Rome). Well, with my group we succeeded to stop the plant, so now I'm respecting my promise," he explained.
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