🔗 Share this article

Three police officers lost their lives and at least 15 others were hurt in what appears to be intentional gas explosion at a rural property in the northern part of Italy.

Event Timeline

The blast was triggered as police and firefighters approached the property near Verona to execute an eviction order for three siblings aged in their 50s and 60s.

All three victims who died were members of the Italian military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

Two individuals were arrested at the location and one more individual who ran away following the blast was apprehended shortly later. The trio have been admitted to the hospital.

The blast could be heard approximately 5 kilometers away and photographs from the location displayed the building reduced to a heap of debris.

“This is a time for grieving,” stated Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who added that attempts had been made to displace the three family members in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The leader of the Veneto region, President Zaia, explained the property was under an court order due to financial obligations incurred by the siblings.

Negotiators had been dispatched to talk with the family members who had secured themselves into the property. When the officers reached the location just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators suspect a family member triggered the detonation.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander the police commander informed the media.

A gas canister had been activated, and the blast precisely impacted our personnel,” he said.

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

Casualties and Damage

The wounded by the incident comprised 11 other members of the Carabinieri as well as three officers of national police and a firefighter.

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

The official believed the explosion had happened on a floor above the doorway and stated to the press it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Shortly before the incident, he mentioned members had “heard a whistle, likely the gas canisters being activated”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants stated to reporters, adding that the trio had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than vacate the property.

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

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto united with other political leaders in honoring the three officers who had lost their lives in the performance of their duties.