Four bodies have been recovered from the rubble of an apartment building in The Hague, the Netherlands, following a major explosion that caused a partial collapse on Saturday morning, Dutch police have confirmed.
The identities of the victims have not yet been determined. Rescue teams continue to search the debris for survivors, with one person already rescued and hospitalized earlier in the evening.
During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, The Hague’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, reported that three injured individuals had been hospitalized earlier in the day.
“The reality is that their chances of survival are very slim. We are preparing for the worst-case scenario,” Mayor van Zanen stated.
Authorities have indicated that there are no signs of suspicious activity at this time, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Emergency services are uncertain how many people may still be buried under the debris, with estimates suggesting the number of victims could rise to around 20.
“Shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote on social platform X.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima also expressed their sympathy on X, stating, “We sympathize with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones.”
The explosion occurred on Tarwekamp Street in the northeastern Mariahoeve district of The Hague. Images from the scene show significant damage, with the facades of several apartments destroyed. The building houses shops on the ground floor with two residential floors above. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
Police have reported that a car was seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion. Authorities are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle to come forward.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
