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Three members of law enforcement lost their lives and no fewer than 15 additional individuals got wounded in what appears to be premeditated detonation from gas at a country home in the northern part of Italy.

Sequence of Events

The explosion was triggered as officers and emergency crews approached the residence close to the Verona region to execute an eviction order for a brother and sister trio in their late 50s and mid-60s.

Each of the three officers killed served in the Carabinieri force.

Arrests and Aftermath

One male and one female were arrested at the location and another man who fled following the explosion was apprehended not long after. The trio have been transported to the hospital.

The explosion could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and photographs from the location revealed the building turned into a heap of debris.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” said the Minister of the Interior the Interior Minister, who mentioned that efforts had been made to displace the brother and sister trio in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The head of the region of Veneto, Luca Zaia, stated the farmhouse was facing an removal notice due to financial obligations incurred by the three owners.

Negotiators had been assigned to engage the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the house. When the Carabinieri arrived soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe a family member triggered the detonation.

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

A gas canister had been activated, and the explosion immediately struck our members,” he added.

Petrol bombs were also located at the site, the minister confirmed.

Injuries and Destruction

Injured individuals by the incident consisted of 11 other members of the police force as well as three members of the state police and a emergency responder.

As stated by the Verona prosecutor, the farmhouse was in a dilapidated shape and had lacked electrical service.

The official thought the detonation had taken place on a floor above the doorway and told the press it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Just prior to the explosion, he said officers had “heard a whistle, presumably the propane tanks being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“We all knew the situation was dire,” neighbors stated to reporters, noting that the family members had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than leave the house.

“The incident exacted a ‘dreadful, extremely sad and dramatic price’.”

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto united with other elected representatives in commemorating the trio of personnel who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.