India issues advisory as protests turn violent in Italy, asks citizens to avoid crowded areas

The Indian Embassy in Italy on Monday issued a safety advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded places and stay away from protest sites following violent demonstrations in several Italian cities over rising living costs and deteriorating public services.

The advisory came after clashes between protesters and police in Milan, where demonstrators allegedly vandalised shops, set property on fire and threw stones at security personnel over the weekend.

In a post on X, the embassy said protests and demonstrations had taken place in some Italian cities last week and advised Indians to remain alert.

"We advise Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas and locations where protests are taking place and follow local news about such events," the embassy said.

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱

The embassy also released emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals requiring assistance.

Indians in distress can contact the Embassy of India in Rome at +39 331 614 2085 or the Consulate General of India in Milan at +39 3881647527.

The advisory urged citizens to follow developments through local news reports and avoid areas where large demonstrations are taking place.

𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻

The protests, driven by concerns over the rising cost of living and poor public services, turned violent in Milan over the weekend.

According to reports, several hundred masked protesters broke shop windows, looted stores and set rubbish bins and makeshift barricades on fire near Piazza del Duomo in central Milan.

Police in riot gear used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators after stones and other objects were thrown at security personnel.

At least two police officers were injured during the clashes, while dozens of protesters were detained.

More than 60 demonstrators were taken to police stations for further checks following the unrest, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆

The violence was not confined to Milan, with demonstrations also reported in Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin.

According to a police report, 28 protesters were arrested following clashes in northern Italian cities on Saturday.

In Turin, authorities stopped individuals allegedly carrying cobblestones and hammers, while a railway station in Bologna was closed as a precautionary measure.

The incidents prompted security concerns as authorities moved to prevent further violence and damage to public property.

𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence while defending the right to peaceful demonstrations.

"Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not," Meloni said in a post on X.

She said peaceful participation was fundamental to democracy but maintained that violence against law enforcement personnel and destruction of property could not be justified.

Meloni also called on opposition parties to condemn the violence and appeal for demonstrations to remain peaceful.

The Italian government was expected to review the situation on Monday and discuss measures to address the unrest.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲

The unrest in Italy coincided with large demonstrations in neighbouring France, where protesters also took to the streets over rising living costs and concerns about public services.

French authorities faced violent clashes in several areas as demonstrations intensified over the weekend.

Against this backdrop, the Indian Embassy has advised nationals living in or visiting Italy to remain vigilant, avoid protest locations and contact Indian diplomatic missions in case of emergencies.