Italy launches special operation to save the Colosseum

On August 26, the government of the capital Rome (Italy) said that they are taking necessary measures to eliminate the rat problem at the Colosseum after social networks spread many images of rodents appearing at this ancient arena.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Sabrina Alfonsi - Manager of the Waste Management Department of Rome City, said that the government has launched a "special campaign" from the night of August 25 to the early morning of August 26 to deal with the problem of rats, first of all, ensuring safe sightseeing activities at the capital's most attractive tourist destination.

Italy thực hiện chiến dịch đặc biệt cứu Đấu trường La Mã

Tourists visit the Colosseum in Rome. (Source: Getty Images)

In a statement, the city government said the campaign will continue next week, focusing on cleaning up green areas or drains around the arena and setting up rat traps.

According to authorities' estimates, there are currently about 7 million rats roaming the city of Rome.

Mr. Alfonsi said that the surge in tourists to Rome this summer, along with unusually hot weather conditions, has caused the city's waste to become overloaded, creating favorable conditions for rats to breed and thrive.

The capital Rome - known as the "eternal city" with more than 2,800 years of history, has faced a waste crisis for many years.

The Italian Ministry of Environment has admitted that the capital's waste management system still has many shortcomings, including infrastructure that is not enough to meet the large demand for waste treatment.

The Colosseum, built 2,000 years ago, is the largest structure of the Roman Empire and a top tourist attraction in Rome.

This is considered one of the architectural wonders of the world, recognized as a World Heritage Site by the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1980.

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