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A trio of officers lost their lives and at least 15 additional individuals were hurt in an apparently intentional gas explosion at a rural property in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The explosion took place as police and firefighters entered the property in the vicinity of the Verona region to enforce an court-ordered eviction for two brothers and a sister in their late 50s and mid-60s.

Each of the three deceased individuals served in the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

One male and one female were arrested at the scene and another man who escaped subsequent to the blast was found not long after. The trio have been admitted to the hospital.

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

“We are in a period of mourning,” stated Interior Minister the Interior Minister, who noted that attempts had been made to remove the three family members in the past.

Financial Context

The head of the Veneto region, the regional head, said the property was facing an eviction order due to debts incurred by the property owners.

Negotiators had been dispatched to speak to the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the home. When the police arrived shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials suspect one of the residents caused the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” provincial police commander Claudio Papagno stated to reporters.

“A gas cylinder had been set off, and the explosion directly hit our officers,” he explained.

Incendiary devices were also located at the site, the interior minister stated.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the blast consisted of an additional 11 personnel of the police force as well as a trio of personnel of the state police and a emergency responder.

As stated by the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a derelict state and had no electricity.

He believed the blast had taken place on a story above the doorway and informed reporters it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Shortly before the incident, he revealed officers had “noticed a hissing sound, likely the propane tanks being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants informed Italian media, adding that the family members had earlier warned to “blow themselves up” rather than vacate the property.

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

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in honoring the three officers who had been killed in the performance of their duties.