Car with charred bodies of suspected seasonal workers found in Southern Italy

Firefighters in the southern Italian region of Calabria discovered four charred bodies inside a burned-out car near a gas station in Amendolara. The victims are suspected to be migrant workers from Pakistan who were employed seasonally in the region. While police have not officially confirmed the cause of death, Italian media are reporting that authorities are investigating the incident as a potential murder.

The discovery was made after the fire brigade responded to a report of a burning vehicle. After extinguishing the flames, they found the four bodies. Investigators are working to determine if the victims were killed before the car was set ablaze, and whether there were any signs of violence such as gunshot wounds. The possibility of an accident has been deemed unlikely by the fire department.

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The fire brigade considers an accident unlikely.

The region of Calabria, particularly the province of Cosenza where the incident occurred, is known for its agricultural labor, which often relies on low-wage workers from Asia and Africa. Reports have frequently highlighted the poor working and living conditions of these seasonal laborers. While the 'Ndrangheta, Calabria's mafia, is deeply rooted in the area, authorities are reportedly not immediately linking the incident to organized crime, noting that previous mafia-related burnings typically occurred in more remote locations.

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The police say the case is fully under investigation, but according to Italian media, they are proceeding on the assumption of murder.