Four bodies have been recovered from the rubble of an apartment building in The Hague, the Netherlands, following a major explosion on Saturday morning. Dutch police confirmed the partial collapse of the building and are continuing search efforts for additional victims.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been determined. Earlier in the evening, one survivor was rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment. Efforts to locate additional victims are ongoing, with emergency services uncertain about the number of people still buried under the debris. Officials fear the death toll could rise to around 20.
During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, The Hague’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, revealed that three injured individuals had already 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,” the mayor said.
He also confirmed that there are currently no indications of suspicious activity in the area, although this remains a focus of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities reported that a car was seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion. Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle to come forward.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his shock over the incident on the social platform X. “Shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague,” he wrote. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima also expressed their sympathy, saying, “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 that the facades of several apartments have been swept away. The building houses shops on the ground floor with two residential floors above. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised concerns about building safety. Residents in the area are urged to stay alert and follow updates from local authorities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
