A quarter of Venice has been submerged by a near-record high tide for June, at a time of year when such flooding is rare.

The lagoon city’s iconic St Mark’s Square was pictured underwater on Thursday night, as a handful of visitors splashed about in the rain.


The flooding comes just two days after Italy reopened its borders to tourists in an attempt to salvage its summer season following coronavirus lockdown.

It also comes after Venice was hit by flooding three times last year – twice in November and once in December – causing billions in damage.

Officials in Venice said the water level reached 116cm – 3ft 10ins – late Thursday, the third-highest mark for June. A quarter of Venice has been flooded.