Italy: 2 Pakistani men held for burning 4 migrants alive in Calabria
Synopsis
Four migrants, three of them Afghan farm labourers, were allegedly burnt alive inside a minivan in Italy's Calabria after refusing to pay transportation money to two Pakistani men, now in custody. The lone survivor escaped by smashing a window — and his account points to a wider exploitation network preying on undocumented workers in southern Italy.
Key Takeaways
Two Pakistani nationals were arrested for allegedly burning four migrants alive in Amendolara , Calabria.
Three of the victims are confirmed as Afghan citizens ; the fourth is yet to be identified.
The charred bodies were found in a minivan near a gas station on Ionian State Road 106 on Monday.
The lone survivor, an Afghan farm labourer, escaped by breaking a window and alleges wage withholding and threats with knives and guns.
The suspects face voluntary manslaughter charges and are being questioned at Cosenza Police Headquarters .
Two Pakistani nationals have been arrested in Italy on suspicion of murdering four migrants — three of them confirmed as Afghan citizens — who were allegedly burnt alive inside a minivan in Amendolara, a town in the Calabria region, local media reported on Tuesday. The charred bodies were discovered on Monday near a gas station along the Ionian State Road 106 in Cosenza province.
What the survivor said
A young Afghan farm labourer, the sole survivor of the attack, told local broadcaster TGR Calabria that the two accused men demanded transportation money and, when the migrants refused, allegedly poured gasoline into the car before tossing in a lighter. ‘I saw the horror, I'm alive by a miracle,' the survivor said in remarks reported by Italian outlet Adnkronos. ‘I thought I was going to die,' he told journalist Francesco Salvatore, adding that he escaped by breaking a window.
Allegations of exploitation
The survivor, who lived with the victims in Villapiana, alleged that the accused had threatened him and other labourers with knives and guns to force them to work, and routinely withheld wages. ‘They didn't give us money, food yes, a house yes, but money no,' he reportedly said, claiming there is a ‘large mafia in Pakistan' operating among migrant labour networks in the area.
How the arrests were made
According to La Milano news, the two suspects were located in Villapiana and taken to the Cosenza Police Headquarters, where they are being questioned by officers from the Flying Squad. Investigators reportedly identified them through witness testimony and video surveillance footage gathered from around the crime scene. The pair face charges of voluntary manslaughter, according to reports.
Why it matters
The case has drawn attention to the conditions facing undocumented farm labourers in southern Italy, where migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and sub-Saharan Africa often work in agriculture under informal arrangements. Calabria, in particular, has long been flagged by labour rights groups for exploitative practices in seasonal farm work. This is among the most violent incidents involving migrant labourers reported in the region in recent years.
What's next
The interrogation of the two detainees is ongoing at the Cosenza headquarters, and Italian authorities are expected to formally confirm the identities of all four victims in the coming days. Diplomatic channels with Kabul and Islamabad may be activated as identification proceeds.
Point of View
Where undocumented Afghan and Pakistani workers exist in a parallel system policed by informal enforcers, not the state. Calabria's agricultural sector has been flagged by labour bodies for years, yet violent enforcement of debt and silence on wages continues. The survivor's reference to a ‘large mafia in Pakistan' deserves serious investigative follow-up, not a footnote. The real test for Italian authorities is whether this case opens a wider probe into trafficking networks, or closes as an isolated double homicide.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Amendolara, Italy?
Four migrants, three of them confirmed Afghan citizens, were allegedly burnt alive inside a minivan in Amendolara, in Italy's Calabria region, on Monday. Two Pakistani nationals have been arrested on suspicion of voluntary manslaughter.
Why were the migrants attacked?
According to the sole survivor, the two accused demanded transportation money from the migrants, and when they refused to pay, allegedly poured gasoline into their car and threw in a lighter. The survivor escaped by breaking a window.
Who is the survivor of the Amendolara fire?
The survivor is a young Afghan farm labourer who lived with the victims in Villapiana. He was tracked down and interviewed by TGR Calabria, and his account has formed a key part of the investigation.
How were the two suspects identified?
Italian investigators identified the two Pakistani nationals through witness testimony and video surveillance footage from around the crime scene. They were located in Villapiana and taken to the Cosenza Police Headquarters for questioning by the Flying Squad.
What charges do the accused face?
The two detainees have been accused of voluntary manslaughter, according to reports. They are currently being interrogated, and further charges could follow as the investigation progresses.
