Crumbling ancient Roman city of Pompeii to receive rescue fund after flood damage

Italy will spend 2m euros from its emergency fund to save the ancient city of Pompeii following flood damage.

16:18 05 March 2014

The ancient city of Pompeii has suffered serious damage due to enormous flooding. A number of structures, including the Temple of Venus and Roma, were seriously destroyed following a heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. Despite the fact that the designated World Heritage site receives 2.5million visitors per year and garners substantial returns, many agree that the site has been neglected and underfunded.

Now, there are calls for action from the EU and the United Nations.

Italy has responded saying that it will spend 2million euros from its emergency fund to save the ancient city which is one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures.

Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said he was "unblocking many measures which will get the machine working".

He added the EU could be "sure that Italy is taking care of Pompeii, both in terms of emergency measures and in the long term".