A searching message of Zhang Yao written by local Chinese community in Italy. [Photo/ifeng.com]

Social media groups have been created to share information over the case and organize searches for Zhang.

Instead of waiting the usual time of 48 hours before filing for a missing person, the local police started to investigate the case almost immediately.

They conducted a thorough search of the nearby police stations and hospitals in the morning hours after her encounter, but still did not find her.

Li Fan, the Director of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, called Zhang's father right after the incident.

Zhang's father has applied for a passport and a visa. He will soon arrive in Rome, the media reports.

As long as his daughter is safe and sound, nothing else matters, he said.

The Students' Federation at her university organized an emergency response team immediately after the incident and took on the responsibility of tracking the case.

Through its official WeChat account, the Chinese Embassy in Italy has urged people to be cautious as cases of robbery and theft have increased as the Christmas holidays draw closer.

The case is still under investigation by the police in Rome.