The foreign ministry in Rome on Monday confirmed reports that two Italians from Padua, a father and a son, had been killed in Zimbabwe. Padua daily Mattino reported that the pair were shot dead by guards in a nature reserve after being mistaken for poachers on Sunday. The foreign ministry said that "the circumstances are yet to be clarified". The victims were Claudio Chiarelli and his 19-year-old son Massimiliano. Claudio Chiarelli had been in Zimbabwe for some time and his son was born there.
Local sources said they were killed by rifle fire in the Mana Pools' park.
The Italian embassy in Harare is in contact with the victims' family to provide assistance.
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