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A trio of officers were killed and at least 15 others were hurt in an apparently premeditated gas explosion at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The blast was triggered as police and firefighters approached the residence in the vicinity of Verona to enforce an eviction order for three siblings who were older adults.

Each of the three deceased individuals were members of the Carabinieri military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and another man who ran away after the incident was found not long after. All three have been transported to the hospital.

The explosion could be heard as far as 3 miles distant and footage from the area revealed the structure turned into a pile of rubble.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” stated the Interior Minister the Interior Minister, who added that efforts had been made to displace the three family members in the previous occasions.

Property Situation

The president of the region of Veneto, the regional head, explained the farmhouse was facing an court order due to unpaid amounts accumulated by the siblings.

Negotiators had been assigned to speak to the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the Carabinieri arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think one of the siblings caused the detonation.

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

“A gas cylinder had been ignited, and the detonation directly hit our members,” he added.

Incendiary devices were also located at the residence, the minister confirmed.

Injuries and Destruction

The wounded by the incident included an additional 11 personnel of the Carabinieri as well as a trio of personnel of Italy's state police and a fire services member.

Based on information from the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a derelict state and had no electricity.

He thought the detonation had taken place on a floor above the access point and told reporters it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the incident, he said members had “heard a whistle, likely the propane tanks being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” local residents informed local news, adding that the trio had earlier warned to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

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

The Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stood alongside other elected representatives in commemorating the three officers who had been killed in the line of duty.