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A trio of officers were killed and no fewer than 15 people got wounded in a seemingly intentional blast caused by gas at a rural property in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The detonation was triggered as officers and emergency crews went into the residence close to the Verona region to carry out an removal notice for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

The three officers killed were members of the Italian military police.

Legal Proceedings

Two individuals were taken into custody at the location and a third person who fled after the incident was found not long after. The trio have been transported to the hospital.

The explosion could be audible as far as 3 miles distant and images from the location showed the structure turned into a heap of debris.

“We are in a period of mourning,” said the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who added that efforts had been made to evict the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Financial Context

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

Mediators had been sent to talk with the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the police came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think one of the siblings caused the explosion.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander Claudio Papagno informed news outlets.

“A gas cylinder had been activated, and the detonation immediately struck our officers,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also found at the residence, the minister confirmed.

Injuries and Destruction

Injured individuals by the explosion comprised 11 other members of the military police as well as a trio of personnel of the state police and a fire services member.

According to the local prosecutor, the building was in a poor condition and had lacked electrical service.

The prosecutor was convinced the blast had occurred on a story above the access point and informed journalists it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the blast, he revealed officers had “noticed a hissing sound, presumably the gas canisters being turned on”.

Local Response

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants told reporters, noting that the trio had earlier warned to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

“The blast resulted in a ‘horrific, deeply distressing and tragic cost’.”

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto united with other political leaders in honoring the trio of personnel who had been killed in the line of duty.