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A trio of officers lost their lives and more than a dozen additional individuals were hurt in an apparently premeditated blast caused by gas at a rural property in northern Italy.

Event Timeline

The blast took place as police and firefighters entered the property in the vicinity of the city of Verona to enforce an eviction order for three siblings in their late 50s and mid-60s.

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

Investigation Developments

One male and one female were arrested at the location and a third person who ran away following the blast was apprehended soon after. All three have been taken to hospital.

The explosion could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and images from the scene revealed the property left as a mass of wreckage.

“This is a time for grieving,” commented the Minister of the Interior Minister Piantedosi, who added that attempts had been made to displace the three family members in the previous occasions.

Property Situation

The leader of the region of Veneto, the regional head, stated the property was subject to an court order due to unpaid amounts accrued by the siblings.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to speak to the siblings who had secured themselves into the house. When the police came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials believe a family member triggered the detonation.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” regional commander the police commander informed the media.

A gas canister had been activated, and the explosion immediately struck our officers,” he added.

Molotov cocktails were also located at the property, the interior minister confirmed.

Impact Assessment

The wounded by the explosion included 11 other members of the Carabinieri as well as three members of national police and a firefighter.

As stated by the local prosecutor, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had was without power.

The official was convinced the blast had taken place on a level above the doorway and stated to the press it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Moments before the blast, he said members had “heard a whistle, likely the propane tanks being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” nearby inhabitants informed Italian media, adding that the three had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than be evicted.

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

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in commemorating the three men who had died in the service of their country.