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A trio of officers were killed and more than a dozen additional individuals sustained injuries in an apparently intentional gas explosion at a country home in northern Italy.

Sequence of Events

The blast was triggered as officers and emergency crews approached the property near Verona to carry out an court-ordered eviction for three siblings who were older adults.

Each of the three deceased individuals belonged to the Italian military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

A man and a woman were taken into custody at the location and another man who escaped after the explosion was apprehended shortly later. Each of them have been transported to medical facility.

The detonation could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and images from the area revealed the structure reduced to a heap of debris.

“We are in a period of mourning,” stated the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who added that efforts had been made to evict the three family members in the past.

Background and Motive

The head of the Veneto region, President Zaia, stated the residence was facing an removal notice due to debts incurred by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to talk with the siblings who had locked themselves into the property. When the officers arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials believe one of the siblings triggered the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” provincial police commander Commander Papagno informed news outlets.

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

Incendiary devices were also located at the property, the interior minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the blast comprised an additional 11 personnel of the Carabinieri as well as a trio of personnel of national police and a fire services member.

Based on information from the Verona prosecutor, the property was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The prosecutor believed the detonation had taken place on a level above the access point and stated to journalists it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Just prior to the explosion, he said members had “noticed a hissing sound, probably the gas canisters being activated”.

Community Reaction

“We all knew the situation was dire,” local residents stated to reporters, noting that the trio had in the past stated to “detonate the property” rather than vacate the property.

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

The Defense Minister Minister Crosetto joined other political leaders in commemorating the three officers who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.