'Apocalyptic' Venice floods in pictures: Italy to declare state of emergency

14 November 2019, 18:45

A greengrocer pulls his cart through high water in Venice
A greengrocer pulls his cart through high water in Venice. Picture: PA

By Sylvia DeLuca

Italy is preparing to declare a state of emergency after Venice suffered its worst flooding in half a century.

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

At one point, around 80 per cent of the city was underwater and extreme weather meant that - for only the sixth time in history - the iconic St Mark's Basilica flooded.

Italy's government is set to hold a cabinet meeting on Thursday to take emergency measures to provide extra funds to the city.

Venice's mayor, who has blamed the floods on climate change, said the damage is estimated at "hundreds of millions of euros".

Damage has been inflicted on the city's historic basilica, as well as on shops, homes and hotels, many of which have lost access to power.

People in wellies walk on a footbridge across the flooded St. Mark's Square
People in wellies walk on a footbridge across the flooded St. Mark's Square. Picture: Getty
The flooded crypt of the Basilica of San Marco
The flooded crypt of the Basilica of San Marco. Picture: PA
Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, center left in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice
Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, center left in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice. Picture: PA

“The disaster that struck Venice is a blow to the heart of our country. It hurts to see the city so damaged, its artistic heritage compromised, its commercial activities on their knees,” Giuseppe Conte said.

The effects of the flooding have been described as “apocalyptic devastation” by a governor of the Veneto region, which Venice is situated in.

Several deaths have been reported, although it is yet unclear how many.

An elderly local man from Pellestrina died after being struck by lightning whilst using an electric water pump, the fire brigade said.

Another man's body was reportedly found when concerned relatives entered his home.

The high-water mark hit 1.87 meters (74in) late on Tuesday, meaning more than 85% of the city was flooded.

It is the second-highest level ever recorded in the city, after the highest level recorded was 1.98 meters (78in) in 1966.

The city of Venice is made up of more than 100 islands inside a lagoon off the north-east coast of Italy. It suffers flooding on a yearly basis.

People wade through water in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice
People wade through water in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice. Picture: PA
A stranded ferry boat lies on its side in Venice
A stranded ferry boat lies on its side in Venice. Picture: PA
Volunteers set up a footbridge for pedestrians across the flooded Riva degli Schiavoni embankment
Volunteers set up a footbridge for pedestrians across the flooded Riva degli Schiavoni embankment. Picture: Getty

Italy's prime minister said the government would speed up the completion of the so-called Mose system of water defences, though he added that it was not expected to be operational before 2021.

Called Moses, the moveable under-sea barriers are meant to limit flooding of the lagoon city, caused by southerly winds that push the tide into Venice.

Work on the Moses project began back in 2003 and has already cost billions of euros. However it has faced many corruption and bribery allegations.

Venice is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, seeing between 26 million and 30 million visitors per year.

But the high waters, or acqua alta, have caused many tourists to leave the city, and many small business owners are appealing to them to return.

More rain is forecast to hit Venice from Friday into next week, risking further intense flooding.

A tourist walks near a store after the exceptional high tide or 'Alta Acqua' that reached 190 cm at late night
A tourist walks near a store after the exceptional high tide or 'Alta Acqua' that reached 190 cm at late night. Picture: PA
Much of Venice was left under water after the highest tide in 50 years ripped through the historic Italian city
Much of Venice was left under water after the highest tide in 50 years ripped through the historic Italian city. Picture: Getty
A man walks past a cafe across a flooded arcade by St. Mark's Square
A man walks past a cafe across a flooded arcade by St. Mark's Square. Picture: Getty

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