Three police officers were killed and at least 13 others injured in an explosion at a farmhouse near Verona, officials reported on Tuesday. The blast occurred overnight in Castel d’Azzano, northern Italy, as police were attempting to carry out an eviction. Authorities suspect the explosion was a deliberate act.
Police have arrested two men and a woman, all siblings in their 60s, who were the subjects of the eviction. Investigative sources said the house was filled with gas, and the explosion happened when officers forced open the front door.
“When we entered the house, we faced an act of sheer madness,” provincial police commander Claudio Papagno told ANSA news agency. “A gas cylinder was set off, and the blast struck our officers directly.” He confirmed an investigation is underway and described the incident as intentional. The suspects are believed to have been inside at the time.
Papagno noted that the building had been vacant for months and the occupants had barricaded themselves in. Previous eviction efforts had failed due to the siblings’ threats to blow themselves up, according to ANSA.
Initially, Papagno confirmed two arrests, but Veneto region president Luca Zaia later posted on social media that a third person from the house had been detained.
Firefighters reported on X that twelve officers and one civilian woman were injured.
Verona’s chief prosecutor, Raffaele Tito, stated the three suspects are charged with premeditated murder, and authorities are also considering a charge of mass killing. Tito authorized a search after Carabinieri photos showed bottles on the roof, suspected to be Molotov cocktails. He added that in late September, the siblings had threatened a court-appointed custodian responsible for selling the property, with one vowing to blow himself up, which prompted the house search.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed shock and sorrow over the incident. Mattarella offered solidarity with the Carabinieri Corps, condolences to the families of the victims, and wishes for a swift recovery for the injured. Meloni acknowledged the daily sacrifices of those who serve the state and its citizens.
This report includes contributions from AFP and ANSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the tragic incident involving three police officers in Italy designed to be clear concise and in a natural tone
Basic Information The Event
1 What happened to the three police officers in Italy
Three Italian police officers were killed in a powerful explosion while they were carrying out an eviction at a house
2 Where and when did this explosion happen
It occurred on the island of Sicily in the city of Palermo on May 4 2024
3 Who were the officers
They were members of the Carabinieri Italys national gendarmerie Their names were Vice Brigadier Pietro Galatoto Marshal Paola Corradino and Marshal Luigi Carvelli
4 Why were the police at the house in the first place
They were there to execute a courtordered eviction of a local man from an apartment owned by his elderly mother
Causes Investigation
5 What caused the explosion
Investigators believe the tenant intentionally triggered a gas explosion essentially turning the apartment into a trap He is suspected of having tampered with the gas lines
6 Was the tenant also killed
Yes the man suspected of causing the explosion was also found dead in the rubble
7 Is this being investigated as a deliberate attack
Yes the leading theory is that it was a deliberate premeditated act The Italian government is treating it as an ambush and a murder of state officials
8 Did the police have any warning that this could happen
Reports indicate there were no specific immediate threats However the man was known to authorities and had a history of resisting eviction attempts which highlights the inherent risks of such operations
Aftermath Impact
9 What has been the reaction in Italy
The nation is in mourning There has been a massive public outpouring of grief and solidarity with the police force A state funeral was held attended by the countrys top leaders
10 What does murder of a state official mean in this context
This is a specific very serious charge in Italian law It signifies that the victims were killed specifically because they were public servants carrying out their official duties which carries a heavier penalty
11 How are dangerous evictions typically handled
For high
