Nepal in Italy News: Missing Tourists and Migrant Struggles
Recent reports have brought Nepal and Italy closer in the news, highlighting both a tragic natural disaster and the ongoing challenges faced by Nepali migrants in Italy. As floods wreak havoc in Nepal, the Italian Foreign Ministry is verifying the possible presence of Italian citizens among the missing, with two Italians reported unaccounted for by Nepal’s tourism body. This comes as India and China also report hundreds of their nationals missing, underscoring the regional impact of the disaster.
Meanwhile, a separate narrative unfolds in Trieste, Italy, where over a thousand Nepali migrants have arrived via the perilous Balkan route in 2025, seeking asylum. Many are living in squalid conditions in parks and abandoned buildings, facing bureaucratic delays that leave them in legal limbo for months. The International Rescue Committee notes that while overall migrant numbers have dropped, the Nepali presence has surged, with women particularly vulnerable. One Nepali woman, Sita Rai, described her arduous journey and the harsh reality of sleeping on cold floors, saying, ‘It’s very hard for a woman; there’s no proper toilet or safe place to stay.’
The struggles extend beyond shelter. The asylum application process is notoriously slow, with some waiting five months just for a registration certificate. Even after that, securing refugee status is a daunting task, with many facing rejections and lengthy appeals. For instance, Bikas Chaudhary, who arrived in 2022, has yet to receive a card after multiple hearings. He notes that while refugees from conflict zones like Afghanistan and Pakistan often get approved, Nepalis face tougher scrutiny, leading to a sense of despair. ‘It feels like I came from one hardship to another,’ he lamented.
These stories highlight a dual crisis: the immediate humanitarian emergency in Nepal and the systemic issues in Italy’s asylum system that leave many Nepalis in precarious situations. As families await news of missing loved ones, others in Italy continue to fight for a semblance of stability, underscoring the need for improved support and streamlined processes for migrants.
Shimanta Das 
