Swiss couple missing in Nepal after dream trip

Patrizia Marziale and Luca Barachini, an Italian-Swiss couple residing in Lugano, are among those missing after a tragedy in Nepal. Their lives were characterized by a shared passion for love, sports, music, and exploring the world.

Luca Barachini works as a director of consumer and digital at Deloitte, a multinational consulting firm, with extensive experience in digital transformation and e-commerce. Patrizia Marziale is a prominent athlete in the local Hac Lugano field hockey team, a sport that has also provided her with a strong network of friendships through team travels and vacations.

Music is a significant thread connecting Patrizia and Luca, with attending concerts being a cherished activity. Patrizia fondly recalled a Jovanotti concert in 2019, describing it as "crazy fun." Her love for music also extends to her son Enrico, a recognized producer in the Swiss techno music scene.

Their current journey through Tibet, Nepal, and the Himalayas was the culmination of a long-held dream and extensive planning. This expedition, spanning 12 stages from Lhasa to Kathmandu, was the latest in a series of adventures they undertook together, including trips to the Dominican Republic, the Maldives, Japan, and New York in previous years. Their last trace on Facebook, posted on August 22nd, showed them in Lhasa, with Patrizia sharing a joyful sentiment: "Ask me if I'm happy… Yes."

In addition to Marziale and Barachini, another Italian, Marco Ratto, a goldsmith from Rapallo, is also unaccounted for.