Italian police have arrested two Pakistani nationals in connection with the deaths of four migrant farmworkers in Italy. The workers were burned alive inside a minivan in southern the Calabria region on Tuesday, according to Italian media reports cited by AP.
The victims included three Afghans and one Pakistani, all migrant workers employed in agriculture, the BBC reported.
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The burnt-out vehicle was found at a petrol station near Amendolara in the southern agricultural region, after firefighters were called to a fire at around 1 pm local time. Once the flames were extinguished, emergency responders discovered four charred bodies inside the minivan, AP reported.
Surveillance footage broadcast by Italian state television RAI showed assailants pouring liquid into the vehicle before setting it on fire, with one person seen blocking the doors from outside. Authorities later detained the two suspects based on CCTV evidence.
An Afghan survivor told Italian media he escaped by breaking a window.
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He also alleged a dispute had broken out over transport money demanded by the suspects, which the workers refused to pay, and claimed the victims had not been paid for their farm work, though they were given food and lodging.
Calabria regional president Roberto Occhiuto called the incident “inhuman” and said it “shakes faith in humanity.” The CGIL trade union also urged stronger protections for migrant workers, calling for action against the “abominations” faced by labourers in rural areas, as per the BBC.
In recent months, the area has reportedly seen 14 arson cases involving cars and minivans used by Pakistani migrants, with tensions linked to the distribution of farm work and living arrangements.