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Three police officers perished and more than a dozen others got wounded in a seemingly intentional gas explosion at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The detonation was triggered as law enforcement and fire personnel went into the residence in the vicinity of the city of Verona to execute an court-ordered eviction for two brothers and a sister who were older adults.

The three victims who died were members of the Italian military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

One male and one female were taken into custody at the location and a third person who fled subsequent to the explosion was apprehended soon after. All three have been transported to medical facility.

The explosion could be heard as far as 3 miles distant and footage from the scene showed the structure reduced to a pile of rubble.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” said Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who added that previous tries had been made to remove the brother and sister trio in the earlier times.

Property Situation

The leader of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, said the property was subject to an court order due to debts incurred by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to speak to the siblings who had secured themselves into the house. When the police reached the location shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think a family member triggered the explosion.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander Claudio Papagno informed the media.

A propane tank had been set off, and the blast immediately struck our personnel,” he explained.

Incendiary devices were also discovered at the property, the interior minister said.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the incident included an additional 11 personnel of the Carabinieri as well as three officers of national police and a fire services member.

Based on information from the local prosecutor, the building was in a dilapidated shape and had lacked electrical service.

The prosecutor was convinced the detonation had taken place on a story above the doorway and informed reporters it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Just prior to the blast, he revealed officers had “heard a whistle, presumably the propane tanks being activated”.

Community Reaction

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” neighbors told Italian media, adding that the trio had earlier warned to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

“The explosion had left a ‘terrible, very painful and dramatic toll’.”

The Defense Minister Minister Crosetto united with other political leaders in paying tribute to the three officers who had lost their lives in the service of their country.