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Three police officers lost their lives and more than a dozen others sustained injuries in an apparently deliberate detonation from gas at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The detonation occurred as officers and emergency crews went into the house in the vicinity of Verona to enforce an court-ordered eviction for three siblings who were older adults.

All three deceased individuals belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were arrested at the scene and another man who fled following the explosion was located soon after. All three have been admitted to medical facility.

The detonation could be audible approximately 5 kilometers away and footage from the scene showed the building turned into a mass of wreckage.

“This is a time for grieving,” said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who added that previous tries had been made to evict the three family members in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

The leader of the region of Veneto, the regional head, stated the property was under an eviction order due to financial obligations accumulated by the three owners.

Negotiators had been dispatched to speak to the brothers and sister who had secured themselves into the property. When the officers came just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials suspect a family member triggered the detonation.

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

A propane tank had been activated, and the blast precisely impacted our members,” he added.

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

Impact Assessment

Injured individuals by the blast comprised an additional 11 personnel of the police force as well as a trio of personnel of Italy's state police and a emergency responder.

According to the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a poor condition and had lacked electrical service.

He believed the detonation had taken place on a story above the entrance and stated to reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the incident, he mentioned officers had “heard a whistle, probably the propane tanks being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” neighbors stated to local news, adding that the family members had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than leave the house.

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

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto joined other government officials in commemorating the three men who had been killed in the performance of their duties.