🔗 Share this article

Three police officers perished and no fewer than 15 people were hurt in what appears to be premeditated gas explosion at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Event Timeline

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews approached the residence close to the city of Verona to execute an removal notice for three siblings who were older adults.

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

Arrests and Aftermath

One male and one female were taken into custody at the scene and a third person who ran away after the explosion was apprehended not long after. Each of them have been transported to the hospital.

The detonation could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and images from the area displayed the structure reduced to a heap of debris.

“This is a time for grieving,” said Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who added that attempts had been made to remove the three family members in the previous occasions.

Financial Context

The head of the region of Veneto, the regional head, stated the farmhouse was facing an court order due to debts accrued by the siblings.

Negotiators had been sent to engage the family members who had locked themselves into the property. When the Carabinieri reached the location just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities suspect one of the residents caused the blast.

“When we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,” regional commander the police commander stated to the media.

A propane tank had been activated, and the detonation precisely impacted our personnel,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also located at the property, the minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the incident included an additional 11 personnel of the police force as well as a trio of personnel of the state police and a fire services member.

According to the Verona prosecutor, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had lacked electrical service.

The prosecutor thought the explosion had taken place on a story above the entrance and stated to journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Just prior to the explosion, he revealed personnel had “heard a whistle, likely the gas cylinders being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants informed reporters, noting that the trio had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than vacate the property.

“The explosion had left a ‘terrible, very painful and dramatic toll’.”

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stood alongside other elected representatives in honoring the trio of personnel who had died in the line of duty.