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A trio of officers perished and at least 15 people were hurt in what appears to be deliberate detonation from gas at a country home in the northern part of Italy.

How It Happened

The explosion took place as law enforcement and fire personnel went into the residence in the vicinity of the city of Verona to carry out an eviction order for two brothers and a sister who were older adults.

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

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and a third person who ran away after the blast was apprehended shortly later. All three have been transported to hospital.

The blast could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the area revealed the structure turned into a heap of debris.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” said the Minister of the Interior the Interior Minister, who noted that previous tries had been made to displace the three family members in the past.

Financial Context

The head of the Veneto region, President Zaia, stated the farmhouse was facing an court order due to financial obligations accumulated by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to talk with the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the police arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe a family member triggered the explosion.

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

“A gas cylinder had been set off, and the detonation directly hit our members,” he said.

Molotov cocktails were also found at the property, the minister stated.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the explosion comprised eleven more officers of the military police as well as a trio of personnel of national police and a emergency responder.

According to the Verona prosecutor, the farmhouse was in a derelict state and had lacked electrical service.

He thought the blast had occurred on a level above the doorway and stated to the press it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Shortly before the blast, he revealed members had “noticed a hissing sound, likely the propane tanks being opened”.

Community Reaction

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents informed local news, adding that the trio had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than be evicted.

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

Defence Minister the Defence Minister joined other government officials in commemorating the three men who had died in the service of their country.