Three police officers have been killed and several others injured in a gas explosion that occurred during an attempted eviction in northern Italy, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
According to firefighters, the incident took place overnight in Castel d’Azzano, near Verona, when an explosion ripped through a house filled with gas. Italian news agency ANSA reported that the blast was triggered as officers opened the front door of the residence.
The home reportedly belonged to three siblings — a brother and sister in their 60s and another relative. The two older siblings were arrested, while the third managed to escape, ANSA said, citing investigative sources. The family had allegedly threatened to blow themselves up to resist eviction.
Firefighters said twelve other people — including law enforcement officers and a civilian woman — were injured in the explosion.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences and led tributes to the victims, whose bodies were recovered from the rubble. “I am following developments closely,” she said in a statement.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, while emergency crews continue to clear debris from the site.
