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Three police officers were killed and at least 15 others sustained injuries in what appears to be intentional gas explosion at a country home in northern Italy.

How It Happened

The explosion occurred as officers and emergency crews approached the house near the city of Verona to enforce an removal notice for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

The three officers killed belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

One male and one female were arrested at the location and a third person who fled following the explosion was found not long after. Each of them have been taken to the hospital.

The detonation could be audible some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the scene showed the structure turned into a mass of wreckage.

“This is a time for grieving,” said the Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who mentioned that efforts had been made to remove the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

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

Negotiators had been dispatched to talk with the family members who had locked themselves into the house. When the police arrived shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe a family member triggered the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” regional commander Claudio Papagno stated to the media.

A propane tank had been activated, and the detonation directly hit our officers,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also discovered at the site, the minister said.

Impact Assessment

Those injured by the blast consisted of an additional 11 personnel of the police force as well as a trio of personnel of the state police and a emergency responder.

According to the local prosecutor, the farmhouse was in a dilapidated shape and had no electricity.

The official believed the detonation had taken place on a floor above the access point and told journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Moments before the blast, he mentioned personnel had “detected a whistling noise, presumably the gas cylinders being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” nearby inhabitants told reporters, noting that the family members had earlier warned to “cause an explosion” rather than vacate the property.

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

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