Photos: Venice's Grand Canal turns bright green due to fluorescein
Police initially speculated substance could be a stunt by environmentalists
Last updated:
2 MIN READ
1/8
Rome: The spectacular transformation of a stretch of Venice's Grand Canal to fluorescent green was due to fluorescein, a non-toxic substance used for testing wastewater networks, local authorities said.
AP
2/8
Residents noticed a stretch of Venice's Grand Canal turned bright green Sunday, prompting police to investigate amid speculation it could be a stunt by environmentalists.
AP
3/8
But analysis showed "the presence of fluorescein in samples taken", said the the Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection of Veneto (Arpav).
AP
4/8
The results "have not shown the presence of toxic elements in the samples analysed", the statement said, without specifying the origin of the substance.
AP
5/8
The change in colour noticed by residents raised eyebrows, with police looking into whether Sunday's development could be a protest by climate change activists, according to local daily La Nuova Venezia.
AP
6/8
It is not the first time the Grand Canal has turned green.
AP
7/8
In 1968, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu dyed the waters of Venice's Grand Canal green with a fluorescent dye during the 34th Venice Biennale in a stunt to promote ecological awareness.
AFP
8/8
Fluorescent green waters below the Rialto Bridge in Venice's Grand Canal.
AFP
Get Updates on Topics You Choose
Up Next
