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Three police officers lost their lives and at least 15 people got wounded in what appears to be intentional gas explosion at a country home in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The explosion took place as police and firefighters entered the house in the vicinity of the city of Verona to execute an eviction order for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

All three victims who died belonged to the Carabinieri force.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were arrested at the site and one more individual who fled following the blast was apprehended not long after. Each of them have been taken to hospital.

The blast could be noticed as far as 3 miles distant and images from the area revealed the property left as a mass of wreckage.

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

Property Situation

The leader of the Veneto area, President Zaia, explained the farmhouse was under an removal notice due to financial obligations incurred by the property owners.

Mediators had been sent to speak to the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the officers came soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators suspect one of the residents set off the detonation.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” provincial police commander Commander Papagno told news outlets.

A propane tank had been ignited, and the explosion precisely impacted our personnel,” he explained.

Molotov cocktails were also found at the residence, the interior minister said.

Casualties and Damage

Injured individuals by the explosion included 11 other members of the Carabinieri as well as a trio of personnel of national police and a firefighter.

As stated by the prosecuting attorney, the property was in a derelict state and had lacked electrical service.

The official was convinced the explosion had taken place on a level above the doorway and informed reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Just prior to the incident, he mentioned officers had “detected a whistling noise, probably the propane tanks being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants informed Italian media, mentioning that the trio had earlier warned to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

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

The Defense Minister Minister Crosetto united with other elected representatives in paying tribute to the three officers who had died in the service of their country.