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Three members of law enforcement lost their lives and at least 15 others sustained injuries in what appears to be intentional blast caused by gas at a country home in the northern part of Italy.

Event Timeline

The explosion occurred as officers and emergency crews entered the property in the vicinity of the city of Verona to enforce an court-ordered eviction for three siblings in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three victims who died were members of the Carabinieri force.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were arrested at the location and another man who escaped after the blast was found shortly later. The trio have been admitted to medical facility.

The explosion could be noticed approximately 5 kilometers away and footage from the area displayed the building reduced to a pile of rubble.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” commented Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who noted that efforts had been made to remove the three family members in the past.

Financial Context

The leader of the Veneto region, President Zaia, stated the residence was subject to an removal notice due to financial obligations accrued by the property owners.

Mediators had been dispatched to talk with the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri arrived just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think one of the siblings set off the blast.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander Claudio Papagno told the media.

A gas canister had been ignited, and the blast immediately struck our members,” he said.

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

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the explosion consisted of 11 other members of the police force as well as three officers of the state police and a fire services member.

As stated by the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a derelict state and had no electricity.

The official believed the blast had happened on a level above the access point and told reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the incident, he mentioned personnel had “heard a whistle, likely the propane tanks being turned on”.

Community Reaction

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” neighbors informed Italian media, mentioning that the trio had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

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

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto joined other elected representatives in honoring the trio of personnel who had been killed in the performance of their duties.