2 Pakistanis arrested in Italy after 4 compatriot farm workers burnt alive in minivan

Italian police have arrested two Pakistani nationals on suspicion of murdering four Pakistani farm workers whose bodies were discovered inside a burnt-out minivan in southern Italy's Calabria region.

The arrests were made on Tuesday following an investigation into the deaths of the four men, whose charred remains were found in a vehicle near the village of Amendolara in the province of Cosenza, according to broadcaster TG24.

Burnt vehicle found at petrol station

The minivan was discovered at a petrol station in a largely agricultural area of Calabria. Firefighters recovered the bodies after extinguishing the blaze.

According to investigators cited in the report, surveillance footage from the petrol station played a key role in identifying the suspects.

CCTV footage leads to arrests

Prosecutors said footage from the station's security cameras appeared to show two individuals approaching the vehicle before the fire broke out.

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Investigators allege the suspects blocked the van's doors from the outside, threw an object or liquid into the vehicle and fled the scene after flames erupted.

The two men were later detained in the town of Villapiana and taken into custody following questioning at police headquarters in Cosenza.

Murder investigation underway

Castrovillari prosecutor Alessandro D'Alessio, as cited in the report, said the suspects are "seriously suspected of multiple and aggravated homicide".

Local police chief Antonio Borelli described the case as a clear act of murder.

“This is definitely murder, we just have to work out the details,” Borelli was quoted as saying.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and is focused on establishing the full sequence of events and determining whether others were involved.

Tensions among Pak migrant workers

Italian media reports said the incident comes against the backdrop of tensions among migrant communities in the region.

According to Corriere della Sera, there have been at least 14 cases of arson involving vehicles used by Pakistani migrants in recent months. The disputes are believed to be linked to competition over farm work, residency permits and accommodation in the area.

Investigators are examining whether the killings were connected to those tensions.