Italian
Three Carabinieri Killed and Several Officers Injured in Explosion During Raid in Castel D’Azzano
Verona – Three Carabinieri officers lost their lives and several others were injured in an explosion that occurred at a farmhouse in Castel D’Azzano, near Verona. Police and Carabinieri had intervened to search the property, which was occupied by three brothers, when the blast took place.
In a statement, the Italian State Police union FISP expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy: “There are no words to convey the immense pain caused by last night’s tragedy in the Verona area, where three brave State officers lost their lives and 15 others were seriously injured in the explosion of a farmhouse scheduled for evacuation.”
The statement continued, emphasizing the danger and sacrifice involved in wearing the uniform: “Wearing the uniform means attracting the hatred of unscrupulous people who stop at nothing, who daily threaten the safety and lives of others and aim to harm those who perform their duty. Going to work each day without knowing if or how you will return home is the harsh reality for law enforcement, and today’s cost is immeasurable.”
Valter Mazzetti, General Secretary of FSP Polizia di Stato, commented on the incident, describing it as an “apocalyptic event.” He confirmed that the third suspect, one of the brothers, had been arrested and called for strict justice and charges of mass murder to be brought. “We can only pray for a speedy recovery of the injured, though the emotional wounds of law enforcement officers may never fully heal.”
The three fallen Carabinieri were Lieutenant Marco Piffari, Carabiniere Davide Bernardello, and Chief Brigadier Valerio Daprà. Alongside them, fifteen others including Carabinieri, police officers from the UOPI (First Intervention Units), and firefighters were injured in the explosion.
Maurizio Ferrara, FSP Veneto Secretary, paid tribute to the fallen officers and stressed the shared courage and sacrifice across different uniforms. “This tragedy should prompt reflection, especially from those who might think of raising a hand against a State Servant.”
Regional President Luca Zaia’s Report
Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region, provided details on the operation: “The intervention targeted the eviction of a house occupied by three brothers, reportedly already known to authorities. Preliminary investigations revealed the presence of gas cylinders and improvised explosive devices, likely including homemade Molotov cocktails.”
Zaia explained that a medical emergency team was on site from 2 a.m., including a mobile clinic, an advanced ambulance, and a base unit positioned safely but ready to intervene.
“At 3:05 a.m., as special forces entered the building, the explosion occurred. An emergency response plan was immediately activated, deploying additional medical coordination units, ambulances, and medicalized vehicles to provide first aid and hospital transport.”
The death toll was severe: “Three officers from special Carabinieri units died on site, their bodies recovered by firefighters from the rubble. The injured were taken to hospitals in Verona—Borgo Roma, Borgo Trento—and in Villafranca and Negrar. Among the injured were law enforcement personnel and two of the occupants. The third occupant managed to flee before the blast.”
Zaia concluded by praising the medical teams and emergency responders for their professional and timely work, and expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers. “I am deeply moved by what happened, and my thoughts are with those families who have been so profoundly affected by this tragedy.”
