VERONA, Italy (BN24)— A devastating explosion at a farmhouse near Verona, Italy, has claimed the lives of three Carabinieri officers and injured at least 15 others, including fellow police officers and firefighters, as authorities attempted to evict three siblings from the property early Sunday morning.
The blast, believed to have been deliberately triggered by the occupants, occurred around 3 a.m. local time when police and emergency personnel entered the rural farmhouse to enforce an eviction order. The order targeted two brothers and a sister, aged in their late 50s and mid-60s, who had accumulated substantial debts linked to the dilapidated property. The explosion was so powerful it was audible up to 5 kilometers (approximately 3 miles) away, leaving the building reduced to rubble and creating a scene of utter destruction.
Authorities confirmed the three deceased victims were members of Italy’s Carabinieri, the country’s military police force. In addition to the fatalities, the blast caused injuries to 11 other Carabinieri officers, three members of the state police, and one firefighter, highlighting the dangerous and chaotic nature of the eviction operation.
Two suspects—a man and a woman—were immediately arrested at the scene following the explosion. A third individual, a man who initially fled the site, was apprehended shortly after. All three suspects were hospitalized for treatment and are currently under investigation.
Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia stated that the eviction was carried out due to mounting debts the siblings owed, emphasizing the farmhouse’s precarious condition. Prosecutor Raffaele Tito described the building as “derelict” with no electricity, underscoring the neglected state of the property.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of life and noted that previous eviction attempts had been made. “It was clear we were dealing with people who would resist in some way,” he said, explaining that mediators had been sent to negotiate with the siblings, who had barricaded themselves inside the farmhouse in a prolonged standoff.
Claudio Papagno, provincial police commander, detailed the horrific scene. Speaking to the Ansa news agency, he said officers encountered “an act of absolute madness” as they entered the home. Investigations revealed that a gas cylinder had been ignited to cause the blast, and petrol bombs were also discovered on the premises, indicating the siblings were prepared to violently resist eviction.
The prosecutor confirmed the blast was a “premeditated and voluntary homicide,” noting that officers heard the sound of gas cylinders being opened moments before the explosion. Neighbors recounted that the siblings had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than surrender the property.
The incident has sparked widespread mourning across Italy. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and other political leaders paid tribute to the fallen officers, describing their deaths as a heartbreaking sacrifice made in the line of duty.
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the explosion and are working to provide support to those injured in the blast. The tragic event has reignited debates on the handling of forced evictions and the risks faced by law enforcement during such operations.
