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Three members of law enforcement were killed and no fewer than 15 people were hurt in a seemingly deliberate blast caused by gas at a country home in the northern part of Italy.

Sequence of Events

The detonation occurred as officers and emergency crews entered the residence in the vicinity of the city of Verona to carry out an eviction order for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

The three victims who died served in the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

One male and one female got detained at the location and one more individual who ran away following the blast was found shortly later. All three have been admitted to medical facility.

The explosion could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and photographs from the location revealed the property turned into a mass of wreckage.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” stated the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who mentioned that attempts had been made to displace the three siblings in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The president of the Veneto area, Luca Zaia, explained the residence was subject to an court order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the three owners.

Negotiators had been dispatched to speak to the family members who had secured themselves into the property. When the officers reached the location soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think one of the siblings set off the detonation.

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

A gas canister had been activated, and the explosion directly hit our personnel,” he added.

Incendiary devices were also found at the property, the minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

The wounded by the explosion comprised 11 other members of the military police as well as a trio of personnel of national police and a fire services member.

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

He thought the blast had occurred on a level above the access point and told the press it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Moments before the explosion, he said members had “heard a whistle, probably the gas canisters being activated”.

Local Response

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” neighbors stated to local news, adding that the three had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than vacate the property.

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

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto united with other political leaders in paying tribute to the three men who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.