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Three police officers were killed and more than a dozen additional individuals were hurt in what appears to be deliberate blast caused by gas at a rural property in Italy's north.

How It Happened

The detonation occurred as officers and emergency crews approached the property near the city of Verona to carry out an court-ordered eviction for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

Each of the three officers killed served in the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene and another man who escaped after the incident was apprehended not long after. All three have been admitted to medical facility.

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

“This is a time for grieving,” commented the Interior Minister Minister Piantedosi, who noted that previous tries had been made to displace the three family members in the past.

Property Situation

The leader of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, said the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to debts accrued by the property owners.

Negotiators had been dispatched to engage the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the officers reached the location soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think one of the siblings triggered the detonation.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” regional commander Commander Papagno stated to reporters.

“A gas cylinder had been set off, and the explosion directly hit our officers,” he added.

Incendiary devices were also located at the residence, the minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

Those injured by the blast comprised eleven more officers of the Carabinieri as well as three officers of Italy's state police and a fire services member.

Based on information from the prosecuting attorney, the farmhouse was in a derelict state and had lacked electrical service.

He thought the explosion had happened on a level above the entrance and stated to journalists it was a “intentional and planned killing”. Just prior to the blast, he mentioned members had “noticed a hissing sound, presumably the gas cylinders being opened”.

Local Response

“We all knew the situation was dire,” neighbors told Italian media, mentioning that the three had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

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

Defence Minister Minister Crosetto joined other political leaders in paying tribute to the three men who had died in the service of their country.