Italy: Meloni vows justice for slain Afghan and Pakistani muslim migrants

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Photo from Italian PM’s X account.


Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday condemned the killing of four migrant workers — including three Afghan nationals — in southern Italy, describing the attack as a “horrific murder” and pledging that all those responsible would be brought to justice.

“The horrific murder of the four farm laborers in Calabria has shocked us all,” Meloni said in a statement after authorities announced the arrest of two suspects.

The victims were identified as three Afghan citizens and one Pakistani citizen. A fifth person survived the attack but suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized.

Italian prosecutors say investigators believe the victims were trapped inside a vehicle that was set on fire in the Calabria region. Surveillance footage reportedly showed key moments of the attack and helped authorities identify two Pakistani nationals who were subsequently arrested.

Meloni said the arrests marked an important step toward uncovering the full circumstances of the crime.

“My thoughts go to the victims and their families,” she said.

The attack has drawn particular attention among Afghan communities because three of the four victims were Afghans who had migrated to Italy in search of work. Authorities said the victims were employed as agricultural laborers in Calabria, a region that relies heavily on seasonal migrant workers.

“It is essential to shed full light on this terrible crime and bring all those responsible to justice,” Meloni said. “Italy does not retreat in the face of violence and barbarity.”

The killings occurred near the town of Amendolara and have sparked outrage across Italy because of their brutality.

Authorities have not announced a final motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The case has also renewed concerns among migrant rights groups about the vulnerability of foreign workers in Italy’s agricultural sector, where many migrants, including Afghans, depend on seasonal labor to support themselves and their families.