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Three members of law enforcement were killed and more than a dozen people sustained injuries in what appears to be intentional gas explosion at a country home in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The blast took place as officers and emergency crews went into the house close to the city of Verona to carry out an eviction order for a brother and sister trio aged in their 50s and 60s.

All three victims who died belonged to the Carabinieri military police.

Legal Proceedings

Two individuals were arrested at the scene and a third person who fled following the blast was located shortly later. Each of them have been admitted to the hospital.

The blast could be heard some 5km (3 miles) away and photographs from the scene revealed the property reduced to a mass of wreckage.

“This is a time for grieving,” stated the Minister of the Interior Minister Piantedosi, who noted that attempts had been made to evict the brother and sister trio in the earlier times.

Background and Motive

The head of the region of Veneto, President Zaia, explained the residence was under an eviction order due to debts accrued by the property owners.

Conflict resolution experts had been dispatched to speak to the brothers and sister who had secured themselves into the property. When the police reached the location soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators think one of the residents triggered the explosion.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” regional commander Commander Papagno told the media.

“A gas cylinder had been ignited, and the blast directly hit our personnel,” he said.

Molotov cocktails were also found at the site, the minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

Injured individuals by the blast comprised an additional 11 personnel of the Carabinieri as well as three members of national police and a fire services member.

According to the Verona prosecutor, the building was in a dilapidated shape and had was without power.

The official thought the blast had taken place on a story above the doorway and informed journalists it was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide”. Moments before the explosion, he mentioned members had “detected a whistling noise, presumably the gas canisters being opened”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” nearby inhabitants informed local news, mentioning that the family members had in the past stated to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

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

Minister of Defence the Defence Minister united with other elected representatives in commemorating the trio of personnel who had died in the service of their country.