World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
India urges citizens in Italy to avoid protest sites after violent clashes
India’s embassy in Italy issued a safety warning on Monday for Indian nationals in the country.
It advised them to avoid crowded areas and places where protests are taking place, stay alert and follow local news.
The protests are driven by rising living costs and dissatisfaction with public services in Italy.
In Milan, police used tear gas and water cannons after some demonstrators threw objects, damaged shops and set bins on fire.
Clashes also followed protests in several northern Italian cities, though the number of arrests reported differs between accounts.
The embassy gave emergency contact numbers for its offices in Rome and Milan.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a government meeting on Monday to discuss the unrest and how to respond.
India’s embassy in Italy urged Indian nationals to avoid crowded areas and protest sites and to follow local news.
The advisory was issued on Monday, October 19, amid protests over rising living costs and public services.
Some demonstrations in Italian cities turned violent, with clashes between protesters and police reported in Milan.
The embassy provided emergency contact numbers for its Rome office and Milan consulate.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence and said she would hold a government meeting.
- Who
- The Indian Embassy in Italy issued the advisory to Indian nationals.
- What
- It urged them to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas and protest sites, and follow local news.
- When
- Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Where
- Italy, including cities such as Milan, Rome, Bologna and Turin.
- Why
- Protests over rising living costs and public services had turned violent in some places.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Clashes erupted in northern Italian cities, including Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin.
Protests over living costs and public services included clashes between police and demonstrators in Milan.
The Indian Embassy issued its advisory for Indian nationals in Italy.
Meloni announced a government meeting to discuss the unrest.
- Advisory date
- October 19, 2026
- Rome emergency contact
- +39 331 614 2085
- Milan emergency contact
- +39 3881647527
- Protest locations
- Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin
- Milan crowd
- More than 5,000 people gathered over the weekend
3 sources
What people are saying
We advise Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas & locations where protests are taking place and follow local news about such events
Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not.
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Advisory for Indian Nationals in Italy There were protests and demonstrations last week in some Italian cities. We advise Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid crowded areas & locations where protests are taking place and follow local news about such events. In case of any