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.