Italian authorities carried out a new eviction of homeless migrants who had been staying in abandoned buildings in the Porto Vecchio area of Trieste, a port city in northeastern Italy. The operation was coordinated by the local prefect’s office and involved several police forces, health workers, and humanitarian groups.
Officials said the action followed earlier safety concerns in the area, especially after repeated fires in December forced the closure of three old warehouses. Authorities explained that the goal was to secure the zone and move asylum seekers into official reception centers across Italy as part of regular transfer efforts.
According to the prefect’s office, 116 asylum seekers were identified during the operation. About half had already applied for asylum in nearby areas, while many of the others said they wanted to apply for international protection after being identified by police. The migrants were informed about available accommodation options with the support of staff from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Before being transferred, migrants received medical checks from local health authority workers. Officials said the process respected health and safety standards and personal dignity. Buses arranged by the prefect’s office then transported people to reception centers. Food and basic assistance were also provided, with support from volunteers including the Catholic charity Caritas.
However, the Italian Consortium of Solidarity (ICS), a refugee support NGO, criticized the eviction. The group said the number of available reception places was too small, leaving more than 100 people without shelter. ICS also questioned how authorities chose who would be transferred, saying the criteria were unclear and did not properly consider vulnerability or how long people had been waiting.
The NGO added that similar evictions had happened before and argued that better long-term planning could prevent people from being left on the streets. According to ICS, the situation in Porto Vecchio should not be treated as a sudden emergency but as an ongoing issue that requires more stable and humane solutions.
On the other hand, Nicole Matteoni, a lawmaker from the Brothers of Italy party, supported the eviction. She said the operation helped restore security and hygiene in the area, where migrants had been living in unsafe and illegal conditions. She also stressed the need to check people’s legal status and move eligible individuals into the national reception system.
What is the main issue in Trieste?
The key problem is the lack of a stable shelter for migrants passing through the city. While authorities focus on security and transfers to official centers, aid groups warn that not enough spaces are available, which can leave many people homeless.