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A trio of officers lost their lives and at least 15 others were hurt in what appears to be premeditated blast caused by gas at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The explosion took place as law enforcement and fire personnel entered the residence in the vicinity of the Verona region to carry out an removal notice for two brothers and a sister aged in their 50s and 60s.

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

Arrests and Aftermath

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and another man who escaped following the explosion was apprehended shortly later. The trio have been transported to hospital.

The explosion could be audible as far as 3 miles distant and footage from the scene showed the structure left as a pile of rubble.

“This is a time for grieving,” stated Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who added that efforts had been made to remove the three family members in the past.

Financial Context

The president of the region of Veneto, Luca Zaia, stated the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to unpaid amounts accrued by the three owners.

Negotiators had been sent to speak to the family members who had locked themselves into the home. When the officers arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials suspect a family member triggered the blast.

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

A gas canister had been ignited, and the blast immediately struck our personnel,” he explained.

Petrol bombs were also located at the residence, the interior minister said.

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the incident comprised eleven more officers of the police force as well as three officers of national police and a firefighter.

According to the prosecuting attorney, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had was without power.

The prosecutor was convinced the explosion had occurred on a floor above the doorway and stated to the press it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the incident, he revealed members had “heard a whistle, presumably the propane tanks being activated”.

Community Reaction

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” local residents informed Italian media, mentioning that the family members had in the past stated to “blow themselves up” rather than vacate the property.

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

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in commemorating the three men who had died in the performance of their duties.