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A trio of officers lost their lives and no fewer than 15 others were hurt in an apparently intentional detonation from gas at a rural property in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The detonation took place as law enforcement and fire personnel entered the property close to the city of Verona to execute an eviction order for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

All three victims who died served in the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

Two individuals got detained at the site and a third person who ran away after the explosion was found shortly later. All three have been transported to hospital.

The detonation could be heard some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the scene revealed the structure turned into a mass of wreckage.

“This moment calls for sorrow,” said the Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who noted that efforts had been made to displace the three family members in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The president of the region of Veneto, President Zaia, said the residence was facing an eviction order due to financial obligations accrued by the siblings.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to engage the brothers and sister who had locked themselves into the house. When the police reached the location shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators suspect one of the residents set off the detonation.

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

A propane tank had been activated, and the detonation immediately struck our members,” he added.

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

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the explosion consisted of an additional 11 personnel of the police force as well as three members of the state police and a firefighter.

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

The official thought the detonation had occurred on a story above the access point and told reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the blast, he revealed members had “noticed a hissing sound, probably the gas cylinders being opened”.

Local Response

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

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

The Defense Minister Guido Crosetto joined other elected representatives in honoring the trio of personnel who had been killed in the service of their country.