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Three police officers lost their lives and more than a dozen additional individuals were hurt in a seemingly intentional gas explosion at a rural property in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The detonation was triggered as police and firefighters approached the property close to the Verona region to carry out an court-ordered eviction for two brothers and a sister who were older adults.

The three deceased individuals were members of the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

One male and one female were arrested at the site and one more individual who ran away after the blast was found shortly later. Each of them have been transported to hospital.

The detonation could be heard some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the location displayed the structure turned into a heap of debris.

“This is a time for grieving,” said the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who mentioned that efforts had been made to evict the brother and sister trio in the previous occasions.

Property Situation

The head of the region of Veneto, the regional head, explained the farmhouse was subject to an court order due to debts accumulated by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to speak to the siblings who had secured themselves into the property. When the Carabinieri came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials believe one of the residents set off the blast.

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

“A gas cylinder had been activated, and the detonation directly hit our members,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also located at the site, the minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

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

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

He believed the detonation had taken place on a floor above the access point and stated to reporters it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Moments before the incident, he mentioned officers had “noticed a hissing sound, likely the propane tanks being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” neighbors stated to reporters, mentioning that the three had earlier warned to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

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

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