Three police officers lost their lives, and over a dozen others sustained injuries in a tragic explosion during an eviction operation, leading to a murder investigation following the detention of three siblings.
Authorities in the Italian town of Castel d’Azzano have detained Dino, Franco, and Maria Luisa Rampini, who are two brothers and a sister, in connection with the deadly explosion. Verona’s chief prosecutor, Raffaele Tito, revealed that the trio is under investigation for premeditated murder, as they allegedly targeted local police officers deliberately during the eviction process.
According to Mr. Tito, the explosion, caused by a gas tank, was a deliberate act intended to harm the law enforcement officers executing a judicial order. Regional governor Luca Zaia condemned the alleged incident as “absolutely crazy,” stating that the farmhouse was filled with gas leading up to the explosion.
The planned eviction turned violent unexpectedly, resulting in three fatalities and 13 injuries. The siblings had previously resisted an eviction attempt in 2024 and had reportedly threatened to blow up the house during a prior incident, claiming injustice over the foreclosure of their family farm.
In a video from a previous eviction attempt shared online, Ms. Rampini expressed opposition to the proceedings, indicating their determination to resist. Following this year’s explosion, two of the siblings were apprehended, while the third was captured after a search in a nearby field.
The trio is facing murder charges, with the possibility of additional charges for mass murder being considered. The deliberate explosion has sparked outrage in Italy, prompting the declaration of a national day of mourning for the deceased officers.
The fallen officers have been identified as Marco Piffari, Davide Bernardello, and Valerio Daprà. The community of Comune di Castel d’Azzano expressed condolences to the families of the officers, emphasizing the sacrifice made by law enforcement personnel and emergency responders in serving the community.
