🔗 Share this article

Three police officers were killed and at least 15 others sustained injuries in what appears to be intentional blast caused by gas at a farmhouse in northern Italy.

Sequence of Events

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews entered the property near Verona to execute an court-ordered eviction for a brother and sister trio in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three deceased individuals were members of the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

One male and one female were arrested at the scene and another man who ran away subsequent to the blast was found soon after. All three have been admitted to medical facility.

The blast could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and images from the location showed the building reduced to a mass of wreckage.

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

Property Situation

The head of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, explained the farmhouse was facing an court order due to debts incurred by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to talk with the family members who had secured themselves into the house. When the officers arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials suspect a family member caused the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” local police chief Claudio Papagno informed reporters.

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

Molotov cocktails were also located at the residence, the interior minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

The wounded by the explosion included eleven more officers of the Carabinieri as well as three officers of national police and a firefighter.

As stated by the prosecuting attorney, the property was in a poor condition and had was without power.

He thought the explosion had taken place on a story above the access point and informed journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the blast, he said personnel had “heard a whistle, probably the gas cylinders being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” local residents informed local news, noting that the trio had previously threatened to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

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

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto joined other government officials in honoring the trio of personnel who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.