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A trio of officers perished and no fewer than 15 others sustained injuries in what appears to be intentional detonation from gas at a rural property in the northern part of Italy.

Event Timeline

The detonation took place as officers and emergency crews entered the residence close to the Verona region to carry out an court-ordered eviction for a brother and sister trio in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three officers killed belonged to the Italian military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

Two individuals got detained at the scene and a third person who fled after the blast was apprehended not long after. All three have been transported to hospital.

The explosion could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and images from the area revealed the property left as a heap of debris.

“We are in a period of mourning,” stated the Interior Minister the Interior Minister, who added that attempts had been made to displace the three family members in the past.

Property Situation

The president of the Veneto area, Luca Zaia, said the property was under an court order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to talk with the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri arrived shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities believe a family member caused the explosion.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” provincial police commander Claudio Papagno told reporters.

A propane tank had been set off, and the blast precisely impacted our members,” he said.

Petrol bombs were also found at the site, the interior minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the incident included 11 other members of the military police as well as a trio of personnel of the state police and a firefighter.

As stated by the Verona prosecutor, the building was in a derelict state and had no electricity.

The official was convinced the explosion had taken place on a story above the access point and stated to the press it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the incident, he mentioned personnel had “heard a whistle, probably the gas cylinders being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” neighbors informed Italian media, mentioning that the three had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than be evicted.

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

Minister of Defence Minister Crosetto joined other political leaders in honoring the three men who had lost their lives in the line of duty.