(ANSA) - Rome, December 12 - The father of Zhang Lao, a Chinese student killed by a train while chasing bag snatchers in Rome a week ago, said Monday "Lao only gave us good news, we thought Italy was a safe country and so we lowered our guard".

Speaking at a commemoration for his daughter at the Academy of Fine Arts, where she was studying fashion, Zhang Gowen called for "justice" and added: "I thought it was my duty to let her realise her dream of coming to Italy. We didn't think her departure would be our final farewell." Art students laid flowers, white ballons, photos, messages and candles at a ceremony at the Academy in central Rome Monday, attended by Zhang Gowen, members of the Chinese community and representatives of the Chinese embassy.

A message next to photos of Yao Zhang smiling in various situations said "it's true that the owners of sensitive hearts never die but suddenly disappear".

Members of the Chinese community said they had applied for a permit to hold a march for her on Saturday afternoon, from Porta San Paolo to the Mouth of Truth.

"It's an initiative to remember Zhang and ask for more security in Rome," they said.

"We expect Roman citizens to take part, too, as well as foreigners living in the Italian capital". Police are seeking three men caught on CCTV grabbing Zhang's bag last Monday.

She chased them along a railway bed before being hit by the train. The robbery happened outside one of Rome's immigration bureaus, which is close to a Roma camp.

