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Three police officers were killed and more than a dozen additional individuals sustained injuries in an apparently premeditated detonation from gas at a farmhouse in northern Italy.

How It Happened

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews entered the residence near the Verona region to enforce an removal notice for two brothers and a sister aged in their 50s and 60s.

All three officers killed belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals got detained at the site and another man who escaped after the explosion was located shortly later. The trio have been taken to medical facility.

The blast could be heard as far as 3 miles distant and footage from the location showed the structure reduced to a mass of wreckage.

“We are in a period of mourning,” stated Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who added that previous tries had been made to evict the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

The leader of the Veneto area, Luca Zaia, stated the residence was subject to an eviction order due to debts accumulated by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to engage the brothers and sister who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the officers reached the location just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe one of the siblings set off the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” regional commander Commander Papagno stated to the media.

A propane tank had been set off, and the explosion directly hit our members,” he explained.

Incendiary devices were also discovered at the residence, the Interior Minister confirmed.

Injuries and Destruction

The wounded by the incident included eleven more officers of the Carabinieri as well as three officers of Italy's state police and a fire services member.

According to the prosecuting attorney, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had no electricity.

The official was convinced the blast had occurred on a floor above the doorway and informed journalists it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Just prior to the blast, he revealed officers had “heard a whistle, presumably the gas cylinders being activated”.

Community Reaction

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents stated to reporters, adding that the family members had earlier warned to “cause an explosion” 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 honoring the three men who had lost their lives in the line of duty.