As Pompeii crumbles, Italy OKs urgent repairs
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bricks and rocks are seen on the ground after a section of wall around an ancient shop collapsed in Pompeii as a consequence of a rainstorm, Monday, March 3, 2014. (AP)
Citing "utmost urgency," Italy has approved work to repair walls in ancient Pompeii that collapsed after heavy rains, and authorized spending $2.7 million on routine maintenance.
The decisions were made Tuesday in Rome after a hastily convened meeting of the culture minister with archaeological experts. On Sunday, stones from an arch and a stretch of wall collapsed in the popular tourist site. On Monday, a wall of an ancient shop collapsed.
Similar collapses in recent years have prompted an infusion of funds, but only a fraction of the $145 million earmarked for the "Great Pompeii" rehabilitation project has been spent. Bureaucracy is blamed in part.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Italy's culture ministry said Tuesday priority will also be given to work to reduce flood risk in unexcavated areas.