A group of environmental activists painted the Venetian Grand Canal green

Italian eco-activists have painted a prominent Venice landmark green. Thus, protesting against the lack of progress at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, activists painted the Grand Canal in Venice.

Activists from the Extinction Rebellion group reportedly dyed the water with a harmless fluorescein dye and tied themselves to Venice's Rialto Bridge and unfurled a banner that read: "COP28: while the government is talking, we are hanging by a thread." This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to Reuters.

According to activists, this dye is used in industry to track objects in water. However, it was later discovered that this substance is commonly used to diagnose eye diseases.

"In a few hours, these waters will be as they were before," Extinction Rebellion reported.

However, Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro condemned the actions of the activists, calling them "eco-vandals". He also called on the Italian authorities to bring the activists to justice. Luigi Brugnaro added that because of these actions, on Saturday, boat traffic on the Grand Canal was stopped, and the water and restored columns on the Rialto Bridge had to be checked for safety reasons.