Three police officers lost their lives, and over a dozen others sustained injuries in a tragic explosion during an eviction operation. Following the incident in Castel d’Azzano, Italy, three siblings, identified as Dino, Franco, and Maria Luisa Rampini, were taken into custody. Verona’s chief prosecutor, Raffaele Tito, revealed that the trio is under investigation for premeditated murder, as the explosion targeted local police deliberately during the eviction process.
The prosecutor stated that the explosion, caused by a gas tank, was a planned act of violence against the authorities executing a judicial order. Luca Zaia, the regional governor, denounced the alleged actions as “absolutely crazy,” indicating that the farmhouse had been filled with gas prior to the detonation.
The eviction, meticulously planned by the authorities, unexpectedly turned violent, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries. The Rampini siblings, who had occupied the century-old property since 2024, had a history of resistance to previous eviction attempts over a disputed foreclosure of their family farm.
In a video shared online from a prior eviction attempt, Maria Luisa Rampini expressed defiance against the authorities’ actions, mentioning their intent to resist the eviction by any means necessary. Two of the siblings were arrested following the recent fatal explosion, which shook the community and was described as a “massacre” by the media.
One sibling was apprehended after an extensive search in a nearby field. The trio is expected to face charges of murder, with a potential additional charge of mass murder pending consideration. The deliberate nature of the explosion has sparked outrage across Italy, prompting the local government to declare a day of national mourning in honor of the fallen officers.
The officers who tragically lost their lives were identified as Marco Piffari, Davide Bernardello, and Valerio Daprà. The community of Castel d’Azzano expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the families of the deceased officers, extending condolences to the injured law enforcement personnel who risked their lives in the line of duty during the joint operation.