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A trio of officers lost their lives and more than a dozen people got wounded in a seemingly intentional gas explosion at a rural property in the northern part of Italy.

How It Happened

The blast took place as police and firefighters approached the property in the vicinity of Verona to execute an eviction order for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

The three deceased individuals belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

Two individuals were arrested at the site and another man who fled following the explosion was apprehended shortly later. All three have been admitted to hospital.

The detonation could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the location showed the structure reduced to a mass of wreckage.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” stated the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who added that efforts had been made to remove the three family members in the previous occasions.

Financial Context

The president of the Veneto region, President Zaia, said the property was subject to an court order due to debts accumulated by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to talk with the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri came just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think a family member caused the explosion.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander Commander Papagno informed reporters.

A propane tank had been ignited, and the detonation precisely impacted our officers,” he explained.

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

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the blast comprised eleven more officers of the police force as well as three members of Italy's state police and a fire services member.

As stated by the local prosecutor, the property was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The prosecutor was convinced the blast had taken place on a level above the access point and told reporters it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Just prior to the incident, he revealed personnel had “detected a whistling noise, probably the gas canisters being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” nearby inhabitants informed local news, adding that the three had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than vacate the property.

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

The Defense Minister the Defence Minister joined other political leaders in paying tribute to the three men who had lost their lives in the service of their country.