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A trio of officers lost their lives and at least 15 additional individuals were hurt in a seemingly deliberate blast caused by gas at a rural property in the northern part of Italy.

Sequence of Events

The detonation took place as police and firefighters approached the house close to the city of Verona to execute an court-ordered eviction for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

Each of the three deceased individuals were members of the Italian military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

Two individuals were taken into custody at the site and another man who fled after the incident was located not long after. All three have been transported to hospital.

The explosion could be heard as far as 3 miles distant and images from the scene showed the building left as a heap of debris.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” commented Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who mentioned that previous tries had been made to remove the three family members in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

The head of the Veneto region, the regional head, explained the farmhouse was facing an removal notice due to unpaid amounts accumulated by the property owners.

Mediators had been dispatched to engage the family members who had locked themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri arrived shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials believe one of the siblings triggered the blast.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” provincial police commander Commander Papagno told news outlets.

“A gas cylinder had been ignited, and the blast precisely impacted our officers,” he added.

Incendiary devices were also discovered at the property, the Interior Minister said.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the incident comprised an additional 11 personnel of the Carabinieri as well as three officers of Italy's state police and a emergency responder.

Based on information from the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a dilapidated shape and had was without power.

He believed the detonation had taken place on a floor above the entrance and informed the press it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Moments before the blast, he revealed officers had “heard a whistle, likely the propane tanks being turned on”.

Local Response

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants informed reporters, noting that the family members had previously threatened to “detonate the property” rather than vacate the property.

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

The Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in honoring the three officers who had been killed in the service of their country.