Italian tourist missing in Nepal flood zone, family in distress

Hours of anxiety are unfolding in Rapallo, Italy, for Marco Ratto, a 50-year-old goldsmith who has gone missing in Nepal. A devastating flood in the region has resulted in hundreds of deaths and disappearances.

Ratto was reportedly in the specific area affected by the flood, which was a planned stop on a journey he began ten days prior. He is a well-known figure in Rapallo, hailing from a family that has owned a historic watch and jewelry shop in the city center for generations.

Described as athletic, dynamic, and an adventure enthusiast, Ratto had chosen Nepal as one of his travel destinations. He had previously postponed the trip once due to a minor injury.

His brother-in-law, Andrea Bernardin, shared the family's anguish. "We are stunned and speechless. We are in contact with the Farnesina (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), but at the moment we have no news. Marco was right in that area," he stated, his voice betraying the tension of the situation. Ratto's sister, his nephews, and his partner are also sharing in the family's worry.