đ Share this article Gas Detonation Claims Three Law Enforcement Officers While Executing Property Removal Procedure in Italy The three deceased officers were part of the Italian police force Three members of law enforcement lost their lives and at least 15 others got wounded in an apparently deliberate gas explosion at a farmhouse in northern Italy. How It Happened The blast occurred as officers and emergency crews entered the house in the vicinity of the city of Verona to carry out an removal notice for three siblings who were older adults. All three deceased individuals served in the Carabinieri military police. Arrests and Aftermath One male and one female were arrested at the location and a third person who fled following the blast was located shortly later. Each of them have been transported to medical facility. The blast could be heard some 5km (3 miles) away and footage from the location revealed the structure turned into a pile of rubble. âThis moment calls for sorrow,â commented the Minister of the Interior the Interior Minister, who noted that attempts had been made to displace the three siblings in the earlier times. Background and Motive The president of the Veneto area, Luca Zaia, explained the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to unpaid amounts incurred by the three owners. Negotiators had been sent to speak to the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the police came soon after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), investigators believe a family member triggered the blast. âWhen we entered the property, we faced an utterly insane act,â provincial police commander Commander Papagno told reporters. A propane tank had been set off, and the blast immediately struck our officers,â he explained. Petrol bombs were also discovered at the site, the interior minister confirmed. Impact Assessment Injured individuals by the blast included 11 other members of the military police as well as three members of Italy's state police and a fire services member. As stated by the Verona prosecutor, the property was in a dilapidated shape and had lacked electrical service. The official believed the explosion had taken place on a level above the doorway and told the press it was a âintentional and planned killingâ. Moments before the explosion, he revealed officers had ânoticed a hissing sound, presumably the gas canisters being openedâ. Neighbor Statements âEveryone was aware the circumstances were severe,â nearby inhabitants told Italian media, noting that the family members had earlier warned to âcause an explosionâ rather than vacate the property. âThe incident exacted a âdreadful, extremely sad and dramatic priceâ.â Defence Minister Guido Crosetto joined other political leaders in honoring the trio of personnel who had died in the line of duty.