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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
World
Fionnula Hainey

Venice flood update: Two dead and tourists up to knees in water as city hit by worst flooding in 50 years

Two people have died in Venice where flood waters are at the second highest level since records began.

Heavy rain over the last two days has seen residents and tourists wading through knee-deep water in the Italian city - with the major damage expected to cost hundreds of millions of Euros to repair.

Officials confirmed that a local man in his 70s died after being struck by lightning while using an electric water pump.

The body of another man was found inside his home.

Heavy rain over the last two days has flooded the city (Elizabeth Dale)

More than 85 per cent of the city has flooded with water levels peaking at a high of 1.87m on Tuesday night - the highest measured in Venice since flooding in 1966 when water rose to 1.94m.

The historic St Mark’s basilica flooded for the fourth time in 20 years, raising concerns about its famous mosaic floors and walls.

A flooded St Mark's basilica in Venice, Italy (Elizabeth Dale)

The worst of the rain is thought to have passed but residents are bracing themselves for another downpour which could result in levels rising to around 1.6m today.

City mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the flooding was a result of climate change and called on the government to help the city.

Venice has been hit with its worst flooding in more than 50 years (Elizabeth Dale)

He said the latest flooding would leave a "permanent mark".

There are fears that Venice will eventually be submerged due to rising sea levels and heavy cruise ship traffic causing the city to gradually sink into the mud.

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