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Three police officers were killed and at least 15 people got wounded in what appears to be deliberate gas explosion at a country home in northern Italy.

How It Happened

The blast took place as law enforcement and fire personnel entered the property close to the city of Verona to execute an court-ordered eviction for three siblings who were older adults.

All three officers killed were members of the Carabinieri force.

Investigation Developments

One male and one female were arrested at the scene and one more individual who ran away subsequent to the blast was found soon after. All three have been admitted to hospital.

The blast could be noticed as far as 3 miles distant and photographs from the location showed the property reduced to a pile of rubble.

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

Property Situation

The head of the region of Veneto, the regional head, explained the property was under an eviction order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the three owners.

Mediators had been dispatched to speak to the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the officers arrived just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe a family member set off the detonation.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” provincial police commander the police commander stated to the media.

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

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

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the blast included eleven more officers of the military police as well as a trio of personnel of Italy's state police and a firefighter.

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

The prosecutor thought the blast had occurred on a story above the entrance and informed reporters it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Moments before the blast, he revealed officers had “noticed a hissing sound, presumably the gas canisters being turned on”.

Community Reaction

“We all knew the situation was dire,” local residents told reporters, mentioning that the family members had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than vacate the property.

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

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto joined other government officials in paying tribute to the three men who had died in the performance of their duties.