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Three members of law enforcement were killed and at least 15 additional individuals sustained injuries in an apparently intentional detonation from gas at a rural property in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The detonation occurred as officers and emergency crews went into the house near the city of Verona to execute an court-ordered eviction for two brothers and a sister in their late 50s and mid-60s.

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

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the site and another man who fled after the explosion was found not long after. Each of them have been transported to medical facility.

The explosion could be audible some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the scene showed the building left as a pile of rubble.

“This is a time for grieving,” commented the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who noted that attempts had been made to remove the brother and sister trio in the past.

Financial Context

The president of the region of Veneto, the regional head, explained the residence was under an removal notice due to unpaid amounts accumulated by the three owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been assigned to engage the siblings who had locked themselves into the property. When the officers came shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials suspect a family member set off the explosion.

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

A propane tank had been ignited, and the detonation immediately struck our officers,” he explained.

Molotov cocktails were also discovered at the property, the Interior Minister stated.

Casualties and Damage

Those injured by the incident consisted of 11 other members of the police force as well as three members of Italy's state police and a emergency responder.

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

He was convinced the blast had taken place on a level above the access point and stated to the press it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Moments before the explosion, he said personnel had “detected a whistling noise, likely the propane tanks being turned on”.

Community Reaction

“All of us understood the scenario was critical,” local residents told local news, adding that the trio had in the past stated to “cause an explosion” rather than leave the house.

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

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto stood alongside other political leaders in honoring the trio of personnel who had been killed in the service of their country.