Amendolara, Italy. Italian police have arrested two Pakistani nationals in connection with the deaths of four Pakistani farm workers whose bodies were found inside a burned minivan in southern Italy. Investigators are treating the case as murder after reviewing security camera footage from the scene.
Vehicle found at petrol station
The minivan was discovered at a petrol station near the village of Amendolara in the Calabria region, an agricultural area that employs large numbers of migrant labourers.
Investigation and evidence
According to reports, CCTV footage showed two individuals blocking the van’s doors from the outside before throwing a liquid into the vehicle. The footage then allegedly captured a fire breaking out moments later and the suspects fleeing the area.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and found the bodies of four men inside the vehicle.
Police statement
Local police chief Antonio Borelli said investigators had already reached a clear conclusion regarding the nature of the incident.
“This is definitely murder, we just have to work out the details,” Borelli was quoted as saying.
Victims and wider context
Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or released further information about the suspects.
The incident has drawn attention to tensions within parts of Calabria’s migrant labour community. According to Corriere della Sera, at least 14 cases of arson involving cars and minivans used by Pakistani migrants have been recorded in the area in recent months.