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Three police officers lost their lives and at least 15 additional individuals sustained injuries in a seemingly deliberate detonation from gas at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The explosion took place as police and firefighters entered the residence in the vicinity of Verona to carry out an eviction order for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

The three officers killed were members of the Carabinieri military police.

Investigation Developments

One male and one female were taken into custody at the scene and another man who fled following the blast was apprehended soon after. All three have been admitted to medical facility.

The explosion could be heard some 5km (3 miles) away and footage from the area revealed the building turned into a pile of rubble.

“This is a time for grieving,” said the Interior Minister the Interior Minister, who noted that attempts had been made to displace the three family members in the previous occasions.

Property Situation

The head of the Veneto region, the regional head, said the farmhouse was facing an removal notice due to debts accumulated by the siblings.

Mediators had been dispatched to talk with the family members who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri reached the location shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities suspect one of the siblings triggered the detonation.

“When we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,” local police chief the police commander stated to reporters.

A propane tank had been activated, and the detonation directly hit our personnel,” he said.

Petrol bombs were also discovered at the site, the Interior Minister confirmed.

Injuries and Destruction

The wounded by the incident comprised 11 other members of the Carabinieri as well as three members of the state police and a fire services member.

As stated by the local prosecutor, the property was in a derelict state and had no electricity.

The official believed the explosion had taken place on a floor above the access point and told journalists it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the incident, he mentioned officers had “detected a whistling noise, presumably the gas cylinders being opened”.

Community Reaction

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” nearby inhabitants informed Italian media, mentioning that the family members had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” 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 paying tribute to the three officers who had lost their lives in the service of their country.