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Three police officers were killed and at least 15 others got wounded in what appears to be intentional detonation from gas at a country home in northern Italy.

Event Timeline

The detonation occurred as law enforcement and fire personnel approached the house in the vicinity of the Verona region to enforce an removal notice for three siblings in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three officers killed served in the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

A man and a woman got detained at the site and another man who escaped following the blast was found shortly later. All three have been admitted to hospital.

The explosion could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and images from the location revealed the structure turned into a heap of debris.

“We are in a period of mourning,” commented the Minister of the Interior the Interior Minister, who mentioned that attempts had been made to remove the three siblings in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The head of the region of Veneto, President Zaia, explained the property was facing an removal notice due to debts accumulated by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to talk with the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the home. When the officers arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think one of the residents set off the blast.

“When we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,” provincial police commander Claudio Papagno told the media.

“A gas cylinder had been set off, and the blast precisely impacted our officers,” he added.

Incendiary devices were also located at the property, the Interior Minister confirmed.

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the blast consisted of 11 other members of the military police as well as three officers of national police and a firefighter.

According to the prosecuting attorney, the building was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The official was convinced the detonation had occurred on a story above the entrance and stated to journalists it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Moments before the incident, he mentioned members had “detected a whistling noise, likely the gas canisters being opened”.

Community Reaction

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants stated to Italian media, adding that the three had in the past stated to “detonate the property” rather than vacate the property.

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

Minister of Defence Minister Crosetto united with other government officials in honoring the three officers who had lost their lives in the service of their country.