Two Australians were injured when a cruise ship ploughed into a busy dock in Venice, according to Italian officials.

Key points: The MSC Opera experienced a loss of control, according to an audio clip from the pilot

The MSC Opera experienced a loss of control, according to an audio clip from the pilot The ship, built in 2004, can carry over 2,675 passengers

The ship, built in 2004, can carry over 2,675 passengers The accident has reignited calls for a ban on large vessels entering Venice's canals

Footage of the crash shows tourists running in panic as the MSC Opera crashes into a smaller riverboat moored at the San Basilio Cruise Terminal dock.

Medical authorities said five women, including two Australians and a New Zealander, aged between 67 and 72, were injured as they tried to run away from the ship.

Robert and Rita Lauretti were on the cruise ship when it struck trouble. ( Facebook: Robert Lauretti )

The collision, about 8:30am on Sunday (local time) on the Giudecca Canal, a major thoroughfare that leads to Saint Mark's Square, has reignited calls for a ban on cruise ships and large vessels in Venetian waterways.

"Today's accident in the port of Venice proves that cruise ships shouldn't be allowed to pass down the Giudecca anymore," Italy's Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said.

"After many years of inertia, we are finally close to a solution to protect both the lagoon and tourism."

Gold Coast couple Robert and Rita Lauretti recorded vision of the incident, which has now been shared worldwide, from their cabin balcony.

"Oddly enough, this morning we decided to have breakfast on our balcony with a couple of friends, and that's what we were doing when the ship hit," Mr Lauretti told ABC Radio Brisbane's Rebecca Levingston.

"A minute-and-a-half prior to taking the video, I thought we were taking a weird angle coming into the place.

"Then I could see the tug boat working hard to try and pull us to the left and I realised there was a problem."

Investigation launched

A partial view of the tourist boat that was struck by a cruise line ship in Venice. ( AP: Luca Bruno )

MSC Cruises, an international cruise ship line with its headquarters in Geneva, said the MSC Opera experienced a mechanical problem as it was docking in Venice.

Italian media have posted an audio clip of the MSC Opera's pilot telling emergency officials that the cruise ship experienced a loss of control and "activated all the procedures to avoid" the collision.

The pilot said anchors were dropped and tugboats connected to the ship's bow and stern performed manoeuvrers to stop the ship.

He is also heard saying: "Here on the bridge, we don't understand what happened."

A tourist boat was struck by the towering cruise ship in Venice. ( AP: Luca Bruno )

An investigation has been launched, and the company said it was cooperating with authorities.

The MSC Opera was built in 2004. It can carry over 2,675 passengers in 1,071 cabins.

According to its sailing schedule, it left Venice on May 26 and travelled to Kotor, Montenegro, and Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu in Greece before returning on Sunday to Venice.

The ABC has contacted DFAT for comment.

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