An explosion at a farmhouse in northern Italy during a police raid killed three Carabinieri officers and injured 12 others, Italy's fire service said on X on Tuesday.
The explosion occurred in Castel d'Azzano, near the city of Verona, overnight and caused the farmhouse to collapse, firefighters said.
A woman was also injured and seven firefighters were taken to hospital for checks, they added.
Italian media reported that the officers were trying to carry out an eviction order and that the initial indications were that gas canisters had exploded in the building. The noise from the blast could be heard as far as five kilometres away.
Corriere della Sera reported that three siblings lived in the building and had been resisting attempts to evict them for several years.
"With deep sorrow I have learnt of the tragic passing of three Carabinieri. My condolences, and those of the government, go to the families of the victims," Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X.

Nine days after disaster, two pulled alive from Nepal hydropower tunnel
Wildfires spread near Indonesia's new capital, prompting calls for action
Philippine court issues warrant for VP Duterte's arrest in grave threats case
Air India A320 issued stall warning when seatbelt signs off, injuring 24, investigators say
Typhoon Saudel brings torrential rain, flooding to China's coastal areas
US investigates deadly strike on Iranian wedding
India food safety crackdown targets company of Nepal's 'Noodle King'
Nepal flood losses estimated at $2.56 billion, official says
