Divers cleaned the Christ of the Abyss sunken statue amid fears of sea organisms causing damage.

Firefighters and specialised units from state forces descended 59ft (18m) to perform maintenance on the submerged figure in Camogli, Italy.

Footage shows the volunteers using an underwater pressure washer to remove algae and other marine growth.

The team included a photographer to document the process while ensuring delicate parts of the statue remained intact.

They said the work was not only to keep the statue visually appealing but also to prevent deterioration caused by marine organisms.

The Christ of the Abyss is a submerged bronze statue of Jesus Christ located in the Mediterranean Sea off the Ligurian coast of Italy.

It was created by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti and was cast using melted-down medals, cannons, ship parts, and bells, including donations from mothers and widows of fallen soldiers.