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| Italy declares Pompeii emergency | Italy declares Pompeii emergency |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The ancient city of Pompeii has fallen into such disrepair that the Italian government has declared a "state of emergency" in a bid to save the ruins. | The ancient city of Pompeii has fallen into such disrepair that the Italian government has declared a "state of emergency" in a bid to save the ruins. |
| Ministers intend to appoint a special commissioner to oversee the site, and have earmarked extra funding for it. | Ministers intend to appoint a special commissioner to oversee the site, and have earmarked extra funding for it. |
| According to analysts, the ruins have suffered from lack of investment, mismanagement, litter and looting. | According to analysts, the ruins have suffered from lack of investment, mismanagement, litter and looting. |
| Pompeii was buried by a volcanic eruption in 79AD and was not rediscovered until the 18th Century. | Pompeii was buried by a volcanic eruption in 79AD and was not rediscovered until the 18th Century. |
| The volcanic debris preserved many of the city's buildings, frescos, silverware, mosaics and other artefacts. | The volcanic debris preserved many of the city's buildings, frescos, silverware, mosaics and other artefacts. |
| But experts complain that the relics are now in danger. | But experts complain that the relics are now in danger. |
| "Every year at least 150 sq m (1,600 sq ft) of fresco and plasterwork are lost for lack of maintenance," Antonio Irlando, a regional councillor responsible for artistic heritage, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper. | "Every year at least 150 sq m (1,600 sq ft) of fresco and plasterwork are lost for lack of maintenance," Antonio Irlando, a regional councillor responsible for artistic heritage, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper. |
| "The same goes for stones: at least 3,000 pieces every year end up disintegrating," he said. | "The same goes for stones: at least 3,000 pieces every year end up disintegrating," he said. |
| The ruins are one of Italy's biggest tourist attractions, and the newly-elected government has decided to act. | The ruins are one of Italy's biggest tourist attractions, and the newly-elected government has decided to act. |
| "To call the situation intolerable doesn't go far enough," Reuters quoted Culture Minister Sandro Bondi as saying. | "To call the situation intolerable doesn't go far enough," Reuters quoted Culture Minister Sandro Bondi as saying. |
| The "state of emergency" will last for a year. | The "state of emergency" will last for a year. |