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A trio of officers lost their lives and at least 15 people were hurt in an apparently deliberate gas explosion at a farmhouse in the northern part of Italy.

Sequence of Events

The detonation was triggered as officers and emergency crews entered the house near the city of Verona to carry out an eviction order for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

All three deceased individuals served in the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and one more individual who escaped subsequent to the explosion was found shortly later. The trio have been taken to the hospital.

The blast could be audible as far as 3 miles distant and photographs from the scene revealed the building left as a pile of rubble.

“This is a time for grieving,” said Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who noted that attempts had been made to displace the three family members in the past.

Background and Motive

The president of the Veneto area, President Zaia, said the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to financial obligations accumulated by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to engage the family members who had secured themselves into the home. When the police arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think a family member caused the explosion.

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

A gas canister had been activated, and the detonation precisely impacted our personnel,” he said.

Molotov cocktails were also discovered at the site, the minister confirmed.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the blast consisted of eleven more officers of the police force as well as three members of the state police and a emergency responder.

According to the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The official thought the blast had taken place on a floor above the entrance and informed journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Moments before the explosion, he revealed officers had “noticed a hissing sound, probably the propane tanks being opened”.

Local Response

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants informed Italian media, adding that the trio had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

“The blast resulted in a ‘horrific, deeply distressing and tragic cost’.”

Minister of Defence the Defence Minister joined other political leaders in honoring the three officers who had been killed in the line of duty.