Why did Grand Canal of Venice turn fluorescent green?

VENICE, Italy — Authorities in Italy are investigating the recent mystery of Venice’s famous Grand Canal when it appeared to turn a shade of fluorescent green.

Veneto region’s governor Luca Zaia posted a photograph of the green liquid, which reportedly spread through the water near the Rialto Bridge.

“This morning a patch of phosphorescent green liquid appeared in the Grand Canal of Venice, reported by some residents near the Rialto Bridge,” Zaia wrote on Twitter. “The prefect has called an urgent meeting with the police to investigate the origin of the liquid.”

The bright green patch of water was first observed at around 9:30 in the morning. As the day progressed, the patch grew slowly and multiple images on social media showed gondolas and water taxis cutting through the green waterway.

According to Italian media outlets, police in Venice were examining CCTV to see if the emerald water was a stunt to coincide with the Vogalonga regatta held over that weekend.

After environmental authorities tested the water, according to Venice city councilperson Andrea Pegoraro, they blamed environmental activists who have been attacking Italian cultural heritage sites in recent months.

Ultima Generazione, a group that poured charcoal into the Trevi Fountain in Rome previous to the situation in Venice, denied having anything to do with Venice incident.

“It wasn’t us,” the group told an Italian cable news networks.

The BBC reported that many social media users believed the bright green water was similar to a 1968 incident by Argentine artist Nicolás García Uriburu, who dyed the waters of the Grand Canal green to raise awareness of ecological issues. IAH