Post by : Rameen Ariff

In northern Italy, a deliberate gas explosion at a farmhouse near Verona claimed the lives of three Carabinieri officers and left at least 15 others injured. The blast occurred early in the morning as police and firefighters carried out an eviction order against two brothers and a sister in their late 50s and mid-60s.

Authorities arrested a man and a woman at the scene, while a third suspect who fled was later found. All three are currently hospitalized. The explosion was powerful enough to be heard about 5 km away, reducing the farmhouse to rubble.

The farmhouse had been subject to an eviction order due to unpaid debts, confirmed Luca Zaia, head of the Veneto region. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi described the incident as a tragic event, adding that authorities were aware the siblings might resist eviction.

Police officers had previously attempted negotiations, but upon entering the property around 03:00 local time, they were met with a gas cylinder ignition. Petrol bombs were also discovered on the premises. Eleven other Carabinieri officers, three state police officers, and a firefighter were injured in the blast.

Verona prosecutor Raffaele Tito confirmed that the explosion was "premeditated and voluntary homicide," occurring on an upper floor. Neighbors reported that the siblings had threatened to blow themselves up rather than leave the house.

Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and other political leaders paid tribute to the fallen officers, highlighting the sacrifice of those who lost their lives while serving the country.

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