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Three police officers perished and at least 15 people got wounded in what appears to be intentional gas explosion at a rural property in the northern part of Italy.

How It Happened

The blast was triggered as police and firefighters entered the property near the Verona region to execute an removal notice for three siblings in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three victims who died belonged to the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and another man who fled subsequent to the blast was apprehended soon after. Each of them have been taken to the hospital.

The detonation could be noticed some 5km (3 miles) away and images from the scene showed the building reduced to a mass of wreckage.

“We are in a period of mourning,” said the Minister of the Interior Minister Piantedosi, who noted that efforts had been made to remove the three siblings in the earlier times.

Property Situation

The president of the Veneto area, President Zaia, stated the farmhouse was subject to an removal notice due to unpaid amounts accrued by the three owners.

Mediators had been dispatched to talk with the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the property. When the Carabinieri came soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials suspect one of the residents caused the explosion.

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

A propane tank had been activated, and the blast directly hit our members,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also discovered at the residence, the Interior Minister stated.

Impact Assessment

Those injured by the blast included an additional 11 personnel of the military police as well as three officers of national police and a emergency responder.

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

The official was convinced the blast had occurred on a floor above the doorway and told the press it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Just prior to the explosion, he mentioned personnel had “noticed a hissing sound, likely the gas canisters being turned on”.

Community Reaction

“We all knew the situation was dire,” neighbors informed Italian media, adding that the trio had previously threatened to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

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

The Defense Minister Minister Crosetto united with other government officials in honoring the three men who had been killed in the line of duty.