Three Italian nuns killed in Burundi

Two reportedly found with throats slit

(ANSA) - Rome, September 8 - The foreign ministry in Rome on Monday said that three Italian nuns working as missionaries in Burundi had been killed. The three Xaverian nuns, named as Luci Pulici, Olga Raschietti and Bernardetta Boggian, were killed at their convent in the city of Kamenge. Two of the three Italian nuns were found with their throats slit, an anonymous police official was quoted as saying by media. Kamenge Mayor Damien Baseka said two nuns were killed "savagely". The bodies of Pulici and Raschietti, were found on Sunday afternoon, while Boggian's was found later in the day.

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini expressed condolences overnight, and said the killings brought "great pain". "We're once again witness to the sacrifices made by those who, with complete dedication, spend their entire lives relieving the overwhelming suffering that still exists in Africa," Mogherini said. Church sources said initial reports indicated that the killings could be the result of a robbery that went wrong.