State of Emergency Declared at Pompeii

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Buried by a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, the ruins of the Roman city attract some 2.5 million tourists each year. Despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, looting, litter and illegal tours have caused serious deterioration of the famous landmark. Pompeii's proximity to nearby Naples has contributed to the problem, as the city's trash has increasingly wound up in the ancient site.

According to culture minister Sandro Bondi, "to call the situation intolerable doesn't go far enough." The state of emergency is expected to last for a year and allow for increased funds and special protective measures for the site.