Venice floods again: Climate change behind highest tide in 50 years

2The tourist sites hit by Venice’s floods

Extensive damage has been reported in areas of Venice after severe flooding hit the Italian city this week.

More than 80% of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was underwater when tides hit their highest, leading Mayor Luigi Brugnaro to declare a state of emergency.

Images show roads and famous attractions submerged in floodwaters, and authorities have reported two deaths as a result. It’s not yet clear how badly the city has been damaged. But Salvano Nastasi, Secretary General of Italy’s culture ministry, told local media that the situation was “extremely complex and worrying” and a crisis unit had been established to assess the impact.