A tourist's act of vandalism at Rome's Colosseum has ignited criticism from Italian authorities. The individual was captured on video etching "Ivan + Hayley" into a wall of the ancient amphitheater. Italy's Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, shared the video and a blurred photo of the suspect on social media, denouncing the act as a profound display of disrespect towards a globally renowned landmark.
Sangiuliano expressed his hope that the perpetrator would be identified and face legal consequences. The video seemingly shows the man turning to the camera and smiling after the act. This incident is not isolated; the Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been subjected to various acts of vandalism in recent times. In 2020, an Irish tourist was caught carving his initials into the historic structure. Just days before this latest incident, a Polish tourist reportedly flew a drone inside the Colosseum despite being informed of the no-fly zone.
