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Three members of law enforcement were killed and more than a dozen others were hurt in what appears to be deliberate blast caused by gas at a country home in northern Italy.

Event Timeline

The detonation occurred as police and firefighters entered the property in the vicinity of Verona to enforce an eviction order for a brother and sister trio aged in their 50s and 60s.

Each of the three officers killed were members of the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals got detained at the site and another man who escaped after the explosion was found shortly later. Each of them have been transported to hospital.

The explosion could be noticed as far as 3 miles distant and footage from the scene showed the building reduced to a heap of debris.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” stated the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who added that previous tries had been made to displace the three family members in the past.

Property Situation

The leader of the Veneto area, President Zaia, stated the residence was subject to an court order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the siblings.

Negotiators had been sent to engage the brothers and sister who had secured themselves into the property. When the police came soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities believe one of the siblings caused the detonation.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” local police chief Commander Papagno stated to the media.

A gas canister had been set off, and the detonation directly hit our members,” he explained.

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

Injuries and Destruction

Injured individuals by the explosion comprised eleven more officers of the Carabinieri as well as a trio of personnel of Italy's state police and a fire services member.

According to the Verona prosecutor, the property was in a derelict state and had no electricity.

The official believed the blast had taken place on a floor above the entrance and informed journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the explosion, he said officers had “noticed a hissing sound, presumably the propane tanks being activated”.

Local Response

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents informed local news, mentioning that the three had previously threatened to “detonate the property” rather than vacate the property.

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

Minister of Defence Minister Crosetto united with other elected representatives in paying tribute to the trio of personnel who had been killed in the line of duty.