Protester turns Rome's fountain red

A man threw a bucket of red paint or dye into Rome’s Trevi Fountain today, colouring the waters of the 18th century monument bright red in front of a crowd of astonished tourists and locals, witnesses said.

The man escaped, leaving the fountain, which normally runs on a closed cycle, spouting red water. Police arrived at the scene and technicians briefly shut off the water before restoring a clear flow.

The monument, designed by architect Nicola Salvi, has been a tourist hotspot since Federico Fellini’s 1960 movie La Dolce Vita, which featured actress Anita Ekberg seductively splashing in the fountain’s waters. Many visitors flip a coin into the fountain, as tradition says that doing so promises a prompt return to the Eternal City.

Police officials did not answer calls seeking comment on the incident.

The news agency ANSA reported that a box was found near the fountain containing leaflets by a group that claimed responsibility for the act.

The leaflets said the red paint was a protest for expenses incurred in organising the Rome Film Festival and symbolically referred to the event’s red carpet, ANSA reported.