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Three members of law enforcement perished and no fewer than 15 people got wounded in a seemingly deliberate blast caused by gas at a country home in Italy's north.

How It Happened

The explosion took place as officers and emergency crews approached the property near Verona to enforce an court-ordered eviction for three siblings in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three officers killed served in the Carabinieri force.

Arrests and Aftermath

A man and a woman were taken into custody at the location and another man who fled after the incident was found shortly later. The trio have been admitted to medical facility.

The detonation could be audible some 5km (3 miles) away and footage from the location showed the building reduced to a pile of rubble.

“This is a time for grieving,” said the Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who noted that efforts had been made to displace the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

The president of the Veneto area, President Zaia, explained the residence was subject to an eviction order due to unpaid amounts accrued by the three owners.

Mediators had been assigned to speak to the family members who had locked themselves into the home. When the officers reached the location soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think a family member triggered the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” provincial police commander Commander Papagno told reporters.

A propane tank had been activated, and the detonation immediately struck our officers,” he said.

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

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the incident consisted of eleven more officers of the military police as well as three officers of national police and a firefighter.

Based on information from the local prosecutor, the property was in a poor condition and had no electricity.

He was convinced the blast had taken place on a story above the doorway and stated to the press it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the incident, he mentioned officers had “heard a whistle, likely the gas cylinders being opened”.

Local Response

“We all knew the situation was dire,” local residents stated to Italian media, mentioning that the family members had previously threatened to “detonate the property” rather than be evicted.

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

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto joined other government officials in commemorating the three men who had died in the performance of their duties.