Bangladeshi couple, child killed in knife attack in Italy

Three members of a Bangladeshi family, including a five-year-old girl, were stabbed to death inside their apartment in Italy's capital, Rome.

The attack took place at around 9:00pm (local time) on Friday (June 26) inside an apartment on Via Montilio in the Casalotti district of western Rome.

The victims were identified as Kamal, a Bangladeshi expatriate from Bosurhat in Noakhali, his wife, and their five-year-old daughter. Their 18-year-old son survived the attack after sustaining serious injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital.

He is now reported to be out of danger, according to doctors.

Italian media reported that an unidentified assailant armed with a knife entered the family's apartment and launched a sudden attack. Kamal, his wife and young daughter suffered fatal stab wounds and died at the scene from excessive bleeding.

Police said the couple's teenage son attempted to flee the apartment and seek help but was also stabbed before the attacker fled the scene.

Neighbours alerted emergency services after hearing screams from inside the apartment. Police, ambulance crews and members of Italy's Carabinieri quickly arrived at the scene, recovering the three bodies and rushing the injured teenager to hospital.

Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a full-scale homicide investigation. Forensic teams collected evidence from the apartment, while investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby buildings and streets in an effort to identify and trace the suspect.

A senior Rome police official told local media that investigators are treating the case with the highest priority. While the motive remains unclear, police are examining all possible angles, including personal disputes, previous enmity, robbery and other potential motives.

The killings have sent shockwaves through the Bangladeshi community in Italy, with expatriates calling for a swift investigation and the immediate arrest of those responsible.