Italy declares emergency over Venice flooding

Italy has declared a state of emergency in Venice after the Italian city was engulfed by 1.87m (6ft) high water levels, flooding its historic basilica and cutting power to homes.

More than 80% of the city, a Unesco world heritage site, was under water when tides were at their highest.

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the flooding as "a blow to the heart of our country".

He said the government would now act quickly to provide funds and resources.

"It hurts to see the city so damaged, its artistic heritage compromised, its commercial activities on its knees," Mr Conte, who visited the region late on Wednesday, wrote in a Facebook post (in Italian).

He said the government would "accelerate" the building of structural defences for the lagoon city, referring specifically to the so-called Mose project - a hydraulic barrier system to shut off the lagoon in the event of rising sea levels and winter storms.

The prime minister said he was declaring emergency measures on Thursday, adding that individuals could claim up to €5,000 (£4,300; $5,500), and businesses up to €20,000, in compensation.

Many museums remained shut on Thursday, AFP reports.

It comes as Venetians woke to sirens indicating that the tide would "remain high" in the coming days.

The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, blamed climate change for the highest water levels in more than 50 years this week, saying the impact was "huge" and would leave "a permanent mark".

St Mark's Square - one of the lowest parts of the city - was one of the worst hit areas.

In 2014, the former mayor of Venice, Giorgio Orsoni, stepped down after he was accused of involvement in the embezzling of around €20m ($27m; £16m) in public funds earmarked for flood defences.

Source: BBC
 

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