ROME: Italian police have arrested two Pakistani nationals for the murder of four farm workers — three Afghans and one Pakistani — found dead in a burnt-out minivan in southern Italy, Italian media reported on Tuesday.

Earlier, after reports of the murder of four Pakistani farmers in Italy, the Foreign Office (FO) said that the “exact nationality” of the deceased was not confirmed yet.

The FO’s statement came hours after Corriere della Sera daily reported that Italian police had arrested two Pakistani nationals for the murder of four Pakistani farm workers found dead in a burnt-out minivan in southern Italy.

The FO said that while the deceased individuals were reported to be Pakistani, their “exact nationality” was not confirmed yet. It added that the matter was being investigated by local police, who were also carrying out forensics.

Italian media reports say victims included three Afghans, one Pakistani; FO says still trying to establish nationality of the deceased

“The Pakistani embassy in Italy is following up on the matter and is in touch with local authorities regarding further developments,” the FO said.

The vehicle was found at a petrol station near the village of Amendolara in a farming area in the Calabria region.

Another Afghan man quoted by Italian media said he survived the killings by smashing a window and running away.

He said the Pakistanis who were arrested had been threatening him and the others with knives and guns and forcing them to work without pay.

CCTV images from the petrol station showed two people blocking the van’s doors from the outside and throwing liquid inside, the Corriere della Sera daily reported, citing law enforcement sources.

The images showed a fire breaking out and the two people running away, the report said.

Firefighters found the bodies inside after putting out the fire.

“This is definitely murder, we just have to work out the details,” local police chief Antonio Borelli was quoted by Corriere as saying.

The paper said there had been 14 cases of arson involving cars and minivans carrying Pakistanis in recent months in the area, where there are tensions between migrants over the division of farm work and residency papers and accommodation.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026