The Gist A strange fluorescent green color seeped into the water of Venice’s Grand Canal this Sunday. Italian local authorities urgently called a meeting with police to investigate the origin of the liquid.
A section of the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, turned fluorescent green on Sunday May 28, prompting police to open an investigation amid speculation of a crackdown by environmental activists.
The color change was reported by locals, according to Veneto Region President Luca Zaia on Twitter. “The prefect has called an urgent meeting with the police to investigate the origin of the liquid,” he added.
??? Stamattina nel #CanalGrande called #Venice A green phosphorescent liquid area appears, surrounded by residents of the entire old town of the Rialto Bridge.
I urgently called a meeting with the police to deepen the origin of the liquidity. pic.twitter.com/te0JVCfodQ—Luca Zaia (@zaiapresidente) May 28, 2023
According to the local daily La Nuova Venezia, the police are investigating whether climate activists could be behind the phenomenon. The firefighters announced they would assist the regional environmental protection agency in collecting samples for analysis.
It’s not the first time the Grand Canal has turned green. In 1968, during the 34th Venice Biennale, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu colored its water green with a fluorescent dye, as part of an ecology awareness campaign.
Gondola rides on fluorescent green water as it passes under the Rialto Bridge in Venice. MAXPPP—ANDREA MEROLA
The fluorescent green waters of the Grand Canal in Venice, this Sunday. MAXPPP—ANDREA MEROLA