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Three police officers perished and more than a dozen people got wounded in what appears to be intentional detonation from gas at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

How It Happened

The blast was triggered as officers and emergency crews approached the residence in the vicinity of the city of Verona to carry out an eviction order for three siblings who were older adults.

All three victims who died were members of the Carabinieri military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

Two individuals were arrested at the site and a third person who escaped following the incident was located not long after. All three have been admitted to hospital.

The explosion could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and footage from the location displayed the structure turned into a mass of wreckage.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who noted that efforts had been made to evict the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Property Situation

The leader of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, said the farmhouse was under an eviction order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to talk with the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the home. When the Carabinieri came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities believe a family member set off the blast.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” provincial police commander Commander Papagno informed reporters.

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

Incendiary devices were also found at the site, the Interior Minister stated.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the blast comprised an additional 11 personnel of the military police as well as three officers of Italy's state police and a firefighter.

As stated by the local prosecutor, the property was in a poor condition and had was without power.

The prosecutor thought the explosion had occurred on a story above the entrance and told reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Just prior to the blast, he mentioned members had “heard a whistle, probably the propane tanks being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” nearby inhabitants informed reporters, adding that the family members had earlier warned to “blow themselves up” rather than be evicted.

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

Defence Minister the Defence Minister united with other government officials in commemorating the three officers who had been killed in the service of their country.