(Rome) A stretch of the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, turned fluorescent green on Sunday, prompting police to investigate amid speculation of action 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.
According to the local daily La Nuova Veneziathe police are investigating whether climate change activists could be behind the phenomenon.
The firefighters announced that they would help the regional environmental protection agency to take samples for analysis.
It is not the first time that the Grand Canal has turned green. In 1968, Argentinian artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu dyed his waters green using a fluorescent dye during the 34e Venice Biennale, as part of an action to raise awareness of ecology.