A late-night eviction operation turned tragic in Italy after a powerful gas explosion killed three police officers and left several others injured in Castel d’Azzano, a small town near Verona.
According to Italian firefighters, the incident occurred when officers attempted to enter a residential building that had been rigged with gas. The explosion went off as soon as the front door was opened, causing massive destruction and chaos in the quiet neighbourhood.
Local news agency ANSA reported that the police team was on-site to evict three siblings who had allegedly threatened to blow themselves up if authorities proceeded with the operation. Two of them (a brother and sister in their 60s) have been arrested, while the third suspect is still on the run.
Firefighters confirmed that twelve law enforcement officers and one civilian woman sustained injuries in the blast, some of them critical.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, paid tribute to the fallen officers, expressing deep sorrow over the loss. “I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and to the police force who serve with courage every day,” she said, noting that she was closely following updates from investigators.
The bodies of the three officers were recovered from the rubble after hours of rescue operations, with emergency workers battling through the debris to save the injured and contain the gas leak.
Authorities have since cordoned off the area as investigations continue to determine the exact cause and motive behind the deadly explosion.
