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Three police officers were killed and at least 15 people got wounded in an apparently intentional blast caused by gas at a rural property in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The explosion was triggered as officers and emergency crews approached the house in the vicinity of the Verona region to execute an eviction order for three siblings in their late 50s and mid-60s.

All three victims who died served in the Carabinieri military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

One male and one female got detained at the location and a third person who fled after the incident was found not long after. The trio have been admitted to hospital.

The detonation could be audible some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the scene displayed the building turned into a pile of rubble.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” commented the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who added that attempts had been made to remove the three family members in the earlier times.

Property Situation

The president of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, explained the residence was subject to an court order due to debts accrued by the siblings.

Mediators had been dispatched to engage the family members who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the police reached the location shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators suspect a family member caused the detonation.

“When we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,” local police chief Claudio Papagno told reporters.

A propane tank had been activated, and the explosion immediately struck our officers,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also found at the site, the minister stated.

Impact Assessment

The wounded by the blast comprised 11 other members of the military police as well as a trio of personnel of the state police and a emergency responder.

As stated by the prosecuting attorney, the property was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The prosecutor was convinced the blast had taken place on a story above the doorway and stated to reporters it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Shortly before the explosion, he revealed personnel had “detected a whistling noise, likely the gas canisters being turned on”.

Local Response

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents told local news, noting that the three had in the past stated to “blow themselves up” rather than vacate the property.

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

The Defense Minister the Defence Minister joined other political leaders in commemorating the trio of personnel who had lost their lives in the service of their country.