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Massimo Branca

Catalina, 17 years old. After being abandoned at birth, she grew up in an orphanage, then lived in Bucharest’s tunnels starting at age 12. From “One Girl’s Tunnel Life: Under the Streets of Bucharest”

Catalina died on May 28, 2014, one month after she turned 18. Her boyfriend Santo, (bottom right), asked to be buried near her. He is also HIV-positive.

After a couple of weeks of abstinence, Catalina couldn’t resist using drugs any longer. She wrote: “It’s too late, I’m a drug addict and there is nothing left to do.”

For a while Catalina tried to stay off drugs. During this period she ate and slept most of the time, trying to recover and find relief from her pain.

Branca says Catalina used to smile with caution and a little shame, because a couple of years earlier she had lost her front teeth.

Catalina and Bruce Lee (center) are seen during a blackout. Before the arrival of Lee—the de facto leader of the tunnels—the tunnels were only lit by candle.

Washed dishes and a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's painting

Boredom is common in the tunnels, with few available activities apart from using drugs. Although she started using intravenous drugs at age 13, Catalina also liked to write.

During winter, up to 40 people occupy the tunnel to stay warm, living together in a space of only a few square meters.

Catalina, 17 years old. After being abandoned at birth, she grew up in an orphanage, then lived on the street and in Bucharest's tunnels starting at age 12.