Leaky roof delays British Museum gallery reopening

The British Museum is unsure when galleries hosting its Greek antiquities will reopen following water damage.

The galleries, one of which holds the Parthenon sculptures, were due to reopen late last month but heavy rainfall has caused leaking.

The museum says no sculptures have been damaged and repairs have been made, although this is not the first time it has battled water damage.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the leak echoes a similar situation in 2019, and shows the institution is failing to care for the Parthenon marbles.

“The abandonment shown in the pictures from the British Museum reinforces Greece’s rightful demand for the sculptures’ permanent return to Athens and their reunification with the Parthenon,” she said.