Over 200 Nepalis stranded in Greece

KATHMANDU: Over 200 Nepali individuals on their way to the United States and various European countries for employment through unauthorized means are currently stranded in Greece.

Nepal’s permanent mission in Vienna has reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that these individuals have been stuck in Athens and surrounding areas for over a month due to immigration issues. According to the ministry, some of these Nepalis have expired visas, while others lack a visa altogether, and the passports of some have expired.

Rishi Raj Acharya, the information officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Himal Press that the Nepali mission in Vienna is working to gather information about the Nepalis stranded in Athens. It has been discovered that they were transiting to other countries through Athens, he added.

Foreign ministry officials speculate that they may have reached Athens via countries such as India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Since most of them were on visit visas, Greek authorities might have denied them transiting facility after their visas expired, Acharya explained.

Nepal does not have a mission in Greece. Many Nepalis residing in Romania, Cyprus, and Serbia use Greece as a transit point to reach the US, Canada, and other countries.

In October, over 300 Nepalis heading to various European cities were stranded in Greece. They were subsequently rescued and repatriated to Nepal by the Nepali mission in Vienna.

Member of the House of Representatives, Gokul Prasad Baskota, has also stated that more than 200 Nepalis, including Chamar Singh Tamang from Kavre, are stuck in Greece. In a message posted on his Facebook page, Baskota has called for strong action against the agents responsible for taking these Nepalis to Greece.