A months-long investigation by The Guardian Australia has uncovered the tragic death of Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old Nepali international student, late last year. Lama was found deceased in a tunnel leading to St James subway station in Sydney, where he had been sleeping after becoming homeless. His body lay unnoticed for a week, with an estimated over 100,000 people passing by before station staff made the discovery in December last year.
Lama's journey to Australia began in 2013, funded by his family's most valuable asset: 3,000 square meters of agricultural land. They sent him to study with the hope of a better life. However, Lama gradually lost contact with his family, who last heard from him 7 years ago. The family was deeply shocked when Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted them to request a DNA test, confirming his death.
The tunnel where Lama sought shelter runs beneath Hyde Park, a popular spot for locals and tourists. Erin Longbottom, nursing unit manager of homeless healthcare services at St Vincent's Hospital, commented on the heartbreaking nature of the situation: "It's as if he were an invisible person. That is truly heartbreaking."
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A homeless person sleeping inside the St James tunnel. *Photo: News.com.au*
Lama's case highlights a growing crisis: records show his student visa had expired and his passport was not renewed in 2023. According to experts, non-residents are becoming an increasingly large group among the homeless in Australia. They are trapped in a "death spiral": not allowed to work, not eligible for government benefits, no access to social housing, and largely without public healthcare.
The City of Sydney Council estimates that one in five rough sleepers is not an Australian resident. These include disadvantaged international students, workers with expired visas, or asylum seekers.
The housing crisis is considered a major cause. Data from ABC News shows Australians' rental affordability reached a record low earlier this year, as rents increased 2,5 times faster than wages.
The financial burden for international students and non-residents is substantial. According to The Emigration Group, monthly living expenses in Sydney, New South Wales, are approximately 3,450 AUD (60 million VND). Of this, rent for a one-bedroom apartment consumes 2,300-2,900 AUD. Additionally, international student tuition fees at many universities range from 39,000 to 60,000 AUD annually.
Khanh Linh (According to The Guardian Australia, Online Khabar, News.com.au)
