Indian Farm Worker Dies In Italy's Latina After Being Dumped On Roadside With Severed Arm

An Indian national working as a farm labourer in Italy's Latina, died after being left on roadside with a severed arm.

An Indian national working as a farm labourer in Italy's Latina, died after being left on roadside with a severed arm. (Image used for representational purpose only)

Source : Getty

Rome: An Indian national working as a farm labourer in Italy's Latina died Wednesday after being left roadside following an accident that severed his arm, news agency AFP reported citing a minister who also condemned the "act of barbarity".

The deceased, identified as Satnam Singh, sustained injuries on Monday, while working on a farm in Latina, a rural area situated south of Rome. Latina is home to thousands of Indian migrant workers.

"The Indian agricultural worker who suffered a serious accident in the countryside of Latina and was abandoned in very serious conditions... has died," AFP quoted Labour Minister Marina Calderone, telling the parliament.

After the incident was unearthed, the Indian embassy in Italy, confirmed the news and stated that it was "aware of the very unfortunate demise of an Indian national in Latina, Italy."  

It stated further that the Indian Embassy was in contact with the local authorities regarding the incident.

"Efforts are underway to contact the family and provide consular assistance," it added.

The Embassy is aware of the very unfortunate demise of an Indian national in Latina, Italy. We are in contact with local authorities. Efforts are underway to contact the family and provide consular assistance.@MEAIndia @SecretaryCPVOIA

— India in Italy (@IndiainItaly) June 19, 2024

'True Act Of Barbarity': Labour Minister Tells Parliament

Adding that the authorities were conducting a probe in the matter, the Labour Minister stated that she hoped the responsible would be punished. "It was a true act of barbarity," she said.

According to the Flai CGIL trade union, Singh, was 30 or 31, and was cutting hay when his arm was sliced off by a machine. He had been working there without legal papers, AFP reported.

Likening the incident to a "horror film", the trade union said: "Instead of being helped by his employers he was dumped like a bag of rubbish near his home."

The police stated that they were informed about the incident by Singh's wife and friends, after which an air ambulance was sent.

"He was flown to a hospital in Rome but he died (today) around midday," a police spokesman told AFP.

Italy's centre-left Democratic Party condemned the Indian national's treatment, calling it a "defeat for civilisation".

"The fight against gangmasters and for dignified and human living and working conditions must continue to be our priority," it said on X.