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Three members of law enforcement lost their lives and no fewer than 15 additional individuals sustained injuries in a seemingly deliberate gas explosion at a country home in northern Italy.

Event Timeline

The explosion was triggered as officers and emergency crews approached the house near the city of Verona to execute an removal notice for three siblings who were older adults.

Each of the three officers killed belonged to the Carabinieri force.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals got detained at the site and another man who escaped after the blast was found not long after. Each of them have been transported to the hospital.

The detonation could be audible approximately 5 kilometers away and footage from the location revealed the property left as a mass of wreckage.

“We are in a period of mourning,” said the Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who added that attempts had been made to evict the brother and sister trio in the previous occasions.

Financial Context

The leader of the region of Veneto, Luca Zaia, stated the property was under an eviction order due to debts incurred by the siblings.

Negotiators had been assigned to talk with the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the police reached the location just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think a family member set off the explosion.

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

A gas canister had been activated, and the detonation directly hit our personnel,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also located at the residence, the minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the blast consisted of eleven more officers of the military police as well as three members of the state police and a emergency responder.

Based on information from the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a dilapidated shape and had was without power.

The official thought the explosion had happened on a floor above the access point and informed journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the explosion, he mentioned members had “noticed a hissing sound, probably the propane tanks being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents informed reporters, adding that the family members had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

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

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto united with other government officials in commemorating the trio of personnel who had died in the service of their country.