Italy to declare state of emergency after Venice flooding 'disaster'

Italy is to declare a state of emergency after major flooding in the historic city of Venice.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the inundation was a “disaster” that is a “blow to the heart of our country.”

Situazione drammatica pic.twitter.com/gS63ZK2j3Q

— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) November 12, 2019

More than 80% of the city has been flooded this week, with the likes of St Mark’s Square, the Gritti Palace and La Fenice theatre all affected.

“It hurts to see the city so damage, its artistic heritage compromised, commercial activities on its knees,” Conte explained.

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He added that his government will give the crisis “maximum attention.”

Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, said the flooding was caused by climate change.

A #Pellestrina con @GiuseppeConteIT e @zaiapresidente, isola tra le più colpite dalla marea eccezionale. I cittadini sono già al lavoro, ma hanno perso molto e ci sono strutture da ricostruire. Il muro di marginamento è parte integrante del Mose, bisogna intervenire subito. pic.twitter.com/So6RFsyii2

— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) November 14, 2019

He said the damage to the city has been “huge.”