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A trio of officers lost their lives and no fewer than 15 others sustained injuries in what appears to be intentional detonation from gas at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The explosion occurred as officers and emergency crews entered the residence close to the Verona region to execute an court-ordered eviction for two brothers and a sister who were older adults.

Each of the three victims who died belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and a third person who fled subsequent to the incident was apprehended shortly later. Each of them have been admitted to the hospital.

The blast could be audible some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the area displayed the structure turned into a heap of debris.

“This is a time for grieving,” stated the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who noted that attempts had been made to displace the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

The leader of the Veneto region, the regional head, explained the farmhouse was facing an removal notice due to unpaid amounts incurred by the siblings.

Negotiators had been dispatched to engage the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the house. When the officers reached the location soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe one of the siblings triggered the blast.

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

A gas canister had been ignited, and the explosion directly hit our personnel,” he explained.

Molotov cocktails were also located at the residence, the minister confirmed.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the blast consisted of 11 other members of the police force as well as three members of Italy's state police and a firefighter.

As stated by the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

He was convinced the detonation had occurred on a story above the doorway and stated to journalists it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Just prior to the explosion, he said members had “detected a whistling noise, presumably the gas canisters being activated”.

Community Reaction

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents stated to local news, adding that the family members had earlier warned to “detonate the property” rather than vacate the property.

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

The Defense Minister Minister Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in paying tribute to the trio of personnel who had died in the line of duty.