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Three members of law enforcement were killed and more than a dozen others sustained injuries in an apparently deliberate gas explosion at a rural property in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews went into the residence near Verona to enforce an removal notice for a brother and sister trio in their late 50s and mid-60s.

Each of the three officers killed belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Arrests and Aftermath

A man and a woman got detained at the site and one more individual who ran away after the explosion was located soon after. The trio have been taken to medical facility.

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

“This is a time for grieving,” said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who mentioned that attempts had been made to evict the three siblings in the previous occasions.

Background and Motive

The leader of the Veneto region, the regional head, stated the residence was subject to an removal notice due to financial obligations incurred by the three owners.

Mediators had been sent to engage the siblings who had locked themselves into the property. When the police reached the location just after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), authorities think a family member caused the detonation.

“When we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,” local police chief Commander Papagno informed news outlets.

A propane tank had been activated, and the detonation directly hit our officers,” he added.

Molotov cocktails were also discovered at the residence, the Interior Minister confirmed.

Casualties and Damage

The wounded by the explosion included eleven more officers of the military police as well as three members of the state police and a firefighter.

According to the prosecuting attorney, the building was in a dilapidated shape and had lacked electrical service.

The official believed the blast had taken place on a story above the access point and stated to journalists it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Shortly before the explosion, he mentioned personnel had “noticed a hissing sound, presumably the gas canisters being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents informed local news, mentioning that the family members had earlier warned to “cause an explosion” rather than leave the house.

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

Minister of Defence Minister Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in commemorating the three officers who had died in the service of their country.