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A trio of officers lost their lives and no fewer than 15 people were hurt in an apparently intentional gas explosion at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

How It Happened

The blast was triggered as officers and emergency crews entered the property near the Verona region to carry out an eviction order for two brothers and a sister aged in their 50s and 60s.

All three victims who died served in the Italian military police.

Legal Proceedings

One male and one female were taken into custody at the site and one more individual who escaped following the blast was located shortly later. Each of them have been admitted to medical facility.

The detonation could be audible approximately 5 kilometers away and footage from the scene revealed the property left as a pile of rubble.

“This is a time for grieving,” stated the Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who mentioned that efforts had been made to remove the brother and sister trio in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The head of the region of Veneto, President Zaia, explained the farmhouse was under an eviction order due to financial obligations accrued by the property owners.

Mediators had been assigned to talk with the family members who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the police arrived just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities believe one of the siblings set off the explosion.

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

A propane tank had been set off, and the blast immediately struck our personnel,” he said.

Incendiary devices were also found at the site, the interior minister said.

Casualties and Damage

The wounded by the blast comprised 11 other members of the military police as well as three officers of national police and a fire services member.

According to the Verona prosecutor, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had lacked electrical service.

He thought the blast had happened on a story above the entrance and told reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the explosion, he mentioned officers had “noticed a hissing sound, likely the gas cylinders being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” neighbors informed reporters, adding that the three 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 united with other government officials in honoring the three men who had died in the service of their country.