Gas Detonation Claims 3 Police Officers Amid Eviction Procedure in Northern Italy

A trio of officers perished and at least 15 others were hurt in what appears to be intentional detonation from gas at a farmhouse in northern Italy.

Sequence of Events

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews approached the property near the city of Verona to carry out an court-ordered eviction for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

Each of the three officers killed were members of the Carabinieri force.

Investigation Developments

One male and one female were arrested at the location and a third person who fled subsequent to the blast was found soon after. All three have been taken to the hospital.

The detonation could be audible as far as 3 miles distant and images from the scene showed the building reduced to a heap of debris.

“This is a time for grieving,” said the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who noted that attempts had been made to remove the brother and sister trio in the earlier times.

Property Situation

The president of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, explained the farmhouse was facing an court order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been sent to engage the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the police came just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think a family member set off the detonation.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” local police chief Claudio Papagno told reporters.

A gas canister had been activated, and the detonation directly hit our officers,” he explained.

Molotov cocktails were also discovered at the site, the interior minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the explosion consisted of eleven more officers of the police force as well as three officers of Italy's state police and a fire services member.

Based on information from the prosecuting attorney, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had no electricity.

The prosecutor was convinced the explosion had happened on a story above the access point and informed the press it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Just prior to the incident, he revealed personnel had “noticed a hissing sound, likely the propane tanks being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” neighbors informed Italian media, mentioning that the trio had in the past stated to “blow themselves up” rather than be evicted.

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

The Defense Minister the Defence Minister stood alongside other government officials in commemorating the trio of personnel who had lost their lives in the service of their country.