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A trio of officers lost their lives and more than a dozen people were hurt in a seemingly deliberate gas explosion at a country home in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The explosion occurred as officers and emergency crews approached the residence in the vicinity of the Verona region to execute an court-ordered eviction for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

All three deceased individuals served in the Carabinieri force.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and a third person who ran away after the blast was located not long after. All three have been taken to hospital.

The explosion could be heard as far as 3 miles distant and footage from the scene displayed the structure turned into a heap of debris.

“We are in a period of mourning,” said the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who mentioned that efforts had been made to evict the brother and sister trio in the previous occasions.

Financial Context

The leader of the region of Veneto, Luca Zaia, said the property was under an court order due to debts incurred by the property owners.

Mediators had been assigned to speak to the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the officers came soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think a family member triggered the blast.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander the police commander stated to the media.

A gas canister had been ignited, and the explosion precisely impacted our members,” he explained.

Molotov cocktails were also found at the site, the minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the explosion consisted of eleven more officers of the police force as well as three members of Italy's state police and a emergency responder.

According to the local prosecutor, the property was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

The official was convinced the explosion had taken place on a floor above the entrance and told journalists it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Moments before the explosion, he said members had “detected a whistling noise, probably the gas cylinders being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

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

“The explosion had left a ‘terrible, very painful and dramatic toll’.”

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto united with other government officials in commemorating the three men who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.