Italy's Iconic Lovers' Arch Collapses Into Sea Following Severe Valentine's Day Storm

Storm Oriana destroyed the iconic Lovers' Arch in Sant'Andrea after heavy rain and waves battered the Italian coast on Valentine's Day.Maurizio Cisternino and Antonio Decaro expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the Salento landmark, which occurred after local officials failed to secure a $4.5M preservation grant in 2024.Christian Mulder from the University of Catania linked the collapse to rising Mediterranean temperatures and the increasing frequency of destructive cyclones.