«We are shocked and speechless. We are in contact with the Farnesina but at the moment we have no news. Marco was right in that area.” Marco Ratto was there, between Tibet and Nepal according to the latest updates sent to the family. And now he is missing after the flash flood that hit the area between the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers in Nepal on Wednesday morning, where according to still provisional estimates there are hundreds of victims and thousands missing. Marco was there, on his way to Tibet, and now his name appears on the list of missing people.
Who is Marco Ratto
Ratto is well known in Rapallo: his family has owned a historic watch and goldsmith shop in the city center for generations. Sporty, dynamic, lover of adventure, the fifty-year-old had chosen Nepal as one of the destinations of his trip, which he had undertaken alone: friends were waiting for him for long days of trekking. A trip that he had already postponed once: he was supposed to leave last year but then had to give up due to a small injury. But he wanted to go there, his friends were waiting for him there. And so he rescheduled his adventure.
The family’s wait
Yesterday, not receiving any news from him, the family contacted the Farnesina and discovered that Marco’s name was on the long list of missing people. A shock for the entire community: Marco Ratto is much loved and has many friends with whom he shares some of his favorite sports. “We are dismayed, we know nothing and are waiting for information”, repeats the brother-in-law.
The mobilization of institutions
The metropolitan mayor Silvia Salis is in contact with the minister Antonio Tajani to ask for updates. The mayor of Rapallo Elisabetta Ricci and her councilor Fabio Mustorgi are also constantly monitoring the situation. «I am following with deep apprehension – said Mayor Ricci – the news coming from Nepal regarding our fellow citizen of whom there is no news following the devastating floods that hit the area. I am in constant and direct contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Farnesina Crisis Unit, which took immediate action and are monitoring the situation minute by minute to gather any useful information. We are close to Marco’s family in these long hours of great anxiety and waiting.”