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Three police officers lost their lives and at least 15 others got wounded in a seemingly intentional gas explosion at a rural property in northern Italy.

Event Timeline

The detonation occurred as law enforcement and fire personnel entered the residence close to the Verona region to carry out an removal notice for two brothers and a sister aged in their 50s and 60s.

The three deceased individuals were members of the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and one more individual who ran away after the incident was apprehended not long after. All three have been admitted to hospital.

The explosion could be heard as far as 3 miles distant and photographs from the location showed the building left as a mass of wreckage.

“This is a time for grieving,” commented the Minister of the Interior Minister Piantedosi, who mentioned that efforts had been made to displace the brother and sister trio in the past.

Property Situation

The leader of the Veneto area, President Zaia, said the property was facing an eviction order due to debts accrued by the siblings.

Mediators had been sent to speak to the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri reached the location shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities think one of the siblings triggered the blast.

“When we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,” provincial police commander Commander Papagno informed reporters.

A gas canister had been activated, and the detonation immediately struck our personnel,” he explained.

Molotov cocktails were also located at the residence, the minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

The wounded by the explosion comprised an additional 11 personnel of the police force as well as three officers of national police and a emergency responder.

According to the local prosecutor, the farmhouse was in a dilapidated shape and had no electricity.

The prosecutor believed the detonation had occurred on a floor above the doorway and told the press it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Just prior to the incident, he mentioned personnel had “heard a whistle, likely the propane tanks being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” neighbors informed Italian media, noting that the family members had in the past stated to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

“The incident exacted a ‘dreadful, extremely sad and dramatic price’.”

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto stood alongside other government officials in commemorating the three men who had died in the performance of their duties.