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Three police officers perished and no fewer than 15 additional individuals were hurt in an apparently intentional gas explosion at a country home in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews went into the property in the vicinity of the city of Verona to carry out an removal notice for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

The three officers killed were members of the Carabinieri force.

Legal Proceedings

A man and a woman got detained at the scene and another man who fled following the blast was apprehended not long after. Each of them have been transported to hospital.

The blast could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and images from the area showed the structure left as a heap of debris.

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

Financial Context

The leader of the Veneto area, President Zaia, stated the farmhouse was subject to an removal notice due to unpaid amounts accrued by the siblings.

Mediators had been sent to talk with the family members who had barricaded themselves into the property. When the Carabinieri came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities suspect one of the siblings set off the explosion.

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

“A gas cylinder had been ignited, and the explosion precisely impacted our personnel,” he said.

Petrol bombs were also discovered at the site, the interior minister said.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the incident comprised 11 other members of the police force as well as a trio of personnel of national police and a firefighter.

According to the Verona prosecutor, the farmhouse was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The official believed the explosion had happened on a story above the entrance and informed the press it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Just prior to the blast, he said officers had “noticed a hissing sound, presumably the propane tanks being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents informed Italian media, noting that the three had earlier warned to “cause an explosion” rather than be evicted.

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

Minister of Defence Minister Crosetto united with other political leaders in commemorating the three men who had died in the service of their country.