Three police officers perished and at least 15 additional individuals were hurt in a seemingly deliberate blast caused by gas at a country home in the northern part of Italy.
The detonation took place as officers and emergency crews approached the residence near the city of Verona to execute an court-ordered eviction for three siblings who were older adults.
All three deceased individuals belonged to the Carabinieri military police.
One male and one female got detained at the site and one more individual who ran away after the incident was located not long after. Each of them have been taken to the hospital.
The blast could be noticed approximately 5 kilometers away and footage from the area revealed the structure left as a heap of debris.
“This moment calls for sorrow,” said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who noted that attempts had been made to displace the three family members in the past.
The head of the region of Veneto, the regional head, explained the property was subject to an court order due to financial obligations accumulated by the three owners.
Negotiators had been sent to speak to the brothers and sister who had secured themselves into the property. When the police came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators suspect one of the siblings triggered the explosion.
“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” local police chief Commander Papagno informed news outlets.
A propane tank had been ignited, and the detonation directly hit our members,” he added.
Molotov cocktails were also found at the property, the interior minister stated.
The wounded by the incident included 11 other members of the military police as well as three members of Italy's state police and a emergency responder.
Based on information from the Verona prosecutor, the building was in a poor condition and had no electricity.
The official was convinced the detonation had taken place on a floor above the entrance and informed the press it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Just prior to the blast, he said members had “heard a whistle, probably the gas cylinders being turned on”.
“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” nearby inhabitants stated to local news, noting that the trio had earlier warned to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.
“The incident exacted a ‘dreadful, extremely sad and dramatic price’.”
Defence Minister Minister Crosetto united with other elected representatives in paying tribute to the trio of personnel who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.
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