by InTrieste
Authorities of Trieste have completed the clearance of migrants from makeshift shelters in the city’s Old Port area. The operation, carried out near the port’s monumental entrance, involved the relocation of more than 200 people, most of whom were transported to reception centers in Lombardy.
The migrants, many carrying only essential belongings in bags, were escorted onto buses by law enforcement. Local health workers, representatives from the Prefecture of Trieste, and staff from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) were on site to provide information about asylum procedures and offer basic assistance.
According to officials, the operation aimed to alleviate pressure on local resources. Regional Councillor for Security Pierpaolo Roberti described it as part of routine efforts to manage migration, noting that similar operations take place every two weeks. “Occasionally, larger-scale actions are necessary to ease the burden on the territory,” he said.
The clearance follows a similar eviction in June, when migrants were removed from a silo near Trieste’s central station. This time, the operation also included the removal of individuals sheltering in warehouses near Pier IV. Approximately 100 law enforcement officers participated in the effort, which began early in the morning and concluded by late afternoon.
The clearance has drawn criticism from migrant advocacy groups and local political figures, who argue that the intervention highlights systemic failures in Italy’s migration policies. “If there were an adequate initial reception system, the disgraceful neglect in the Old Port area would not have occurred,” said a statement from several organizations working on migrant integration in the region.
Francesco Marino, head of the SIULP police union in Trieste, expressed frustration with the reliance on emergency measures. “These operations are ineffective and propagandistic,” he said, emphasizing the need for long-term structural reforms to relieve law enforcement of tasks related to migrant reception.
Maria Luisa Paglia, the local secretary of the Democratic Party, questioned whether the clearance was “an act of governance or propaganda.”
The migrants, mostly men, had been living in unsanitary conditions under the port’s canopy and in surrounding areas. While most had undergone identification processes in Trieste, some had already applied for asylum. Others will now continue the process in centers outside the region.
The UNHCR, which supported the operation, provided critical services during the relocation. However, local organizations said they were not officially informed in advance, raising concerns about coordination and transparency.
By the end of the operation, the port area was left littered with discarded clothing, sleeping bags, and personal belongings. Cleanup efforts are underway, but the event has renewed debate over how to address the growing challenge of migration in Italy and across Europe.
