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Three police officers lost their lives and more than a dozen others were hurt in what appears to be intentional blast caused by gas at a farmhouse in Italy's north.

Sequence of Events

The blast took place as police and firefighters entered the residence close to the city of Verona to carry out an eviction order for a brother and sister trio who were older adults.

The three officers killed belonged to the Italian military police.

Investigation Developments

A man and a woman were taken into custody at the location and one more individual who fled after the blast was found soon after. All three have been transported to the hospital.

The blast could be audible some 5km (3 miles) away and footage from the location revealed the building turned into a heap of debris.

“We are in a period of mourning,” said the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who noted that efforts had been made to evict the three family members in the previous occasions.

Financial Context

The leader of the Veneto region, President Zaia, stated the residence was facing an eviction order due to unpaid amounts accrued by the siblings.

Mediators had been sent to engage the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the Carabinieri reached the location soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials think one of the residents triggered the blast.

“As we went inside, we encountered a completely deranged action,” local police chief Commander Papagno informed the media.

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

Incendiary devices were also found at the property, the minister said.

Injuries and Destruction

Injured individuals by the blast included eleven more officers of the police force as well as three members of national police and a emergency responder.

Based on information from the prosecuting attorney, the building was in a derelict state and had was without power.

He thought the detonation had occurred on a floor above the doorway and informed reporters it was a “deliberate and pre-planned murder”. Just prior to the blast, he mentioned officers had “detected a whistling noise, likely the gas cylinders being turned on”.

Neighbor Statements

“Everyone was aware the circumstances were severe,” local residents stated to reporters, mentioning that the family members had earlier warned to “detonate the property” rather than leave the house.

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

Minister of Defence Minister Crosetto united with other government officials in honoring the trio of personnel who had been killed in the performance of their duties.