A large sum of cash was thrown from a speedboat onto a Sicilian beach near Marina di Ragusa on Thursday, prompting a police investigation into its origins. Beachgoers were caught off guard as bags filled with an estimated €700,000 in banknotes, including €20, €50, and €100 denominations, were scattered into the shallow waters after the boat ran out of fuel offshore.

According to authorities, the speedboat had four occupants. When the vessel ran low on fuel, two individuals left to search for additional supplies while the remaining two began tossing the money into the sea as coastguard units approached. Responding officers quickly intervened before bystanders could collect the cash, securing the funds and detaining three suspects in connection with the incident.

Officials have launched an investigation to determine the source of the money and whether it is tied to smuggling or drug trafficking activities. Experts point out that the southeastern coast of Sicily, including the area around Marina di Ragusa, has become a key node in international cocaine trafficking networks, often serving as a landing and transshipment hub for narcotics entering Europe.

The chaotic scene drew reactions from local residents and tourists, some of whom described it as resembling a movie plot due to the suddenness and scale of the cash drop. Authorities continue to examine vessel movements and conduct further inquiries to establish the full circumstances behind the unusual event.