Verona – Following the fatal explosion in Castel d'Azzano, the Verona public prosecutor's office is investigating three Carabinieri officers. Investigators are examining suspected involvement in multiple negligent homicides in the planning and execution of the operation on 14 October 2025. The investigation became public on Friday, 30 October 2026, during a separate disciplinary hearing in Venice.
The officers concerned are Vincenzo Spataro, commander of the Villafranca company; Antonio Sframeli, who headed the operational department in Verona at the time; and provincial commander Claudio Papagno. Carabinieri officers Marco Piffari, Valerio Daprà and Davide Bernardello died in the explosion at the Ramponi siblings' country house. The operation was connected to a planned eviction; the building was to be searched beforehand.
The investigation into those responsible was prompted by a complaint from Piffari's family. They accuse the operation's commanders of underestimating the risk. The siblings had allegedly threatened to blow up the building during earlier eviction attempts. Whether those in charge breached their duties and whether any such failures caused the deaths of the three officers remain under investigation. No finding of guilt has been made.
Castel d'Azzano: disciplinary proceedings and criminal trial
Alongside the criminal investigation, disciplinary proceedings concerning the conduct of the operation are under way in Venice. At the first hearing on Friday, defence lawyers requested a suspension, citing the Verona investigation. The prosecutor general's office opposed the request. No decision has yet been taken; the next hearing is scheduled for 15 January 2027.
Separately, the Court of Assizes in Verona has been trying Franco, Dino and Maria Luisa Ramponi since 26 October. They are accused of causing the explosion. According to the investigation, the house was filled with gas and petrol had been spread on the floor. A court decision is also still pending in this case. The new investigation into the officers therefore additionally examines the operation's safety planning without replacing the charges against the siblings.
