report: Nina Vaclavikova
Early Thursday morning, Italian authorities transferred more than 100 asylum seekers from Warehouse No. 4 at Trieste’s Old Port to reception centers across northern and central Italy, with some placed in city facilities. The operation involved about 40 officers from police, carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, and local police, and was carried out without incident.
The warehouse will be closed to “restore safety and sanitary conditions,” the Prefecture said, as the municipality prepares redevelopment projects in the area. Many of those relocated were families with children from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal, including individuals who had submitted asylum requests in Gorizia due to difficulties applying in Trieste.
Caritas provided meals during the transfer, and UNHCR representatives were present, emphasizing the need for stronger local reception systems and equitable national distribution of responsibilities for asylum seekers. Some aid organizations, however, criticized the operation for prioritizing warehouse closures over ensuring sufficient accommodations, leaving some individuals on the streets.
Trieste remains a key entry point along the Balkan migration route, with local authorities balancing humanitarian needs and urban redevelopment.
