In the meantime, it has been learned that the residents of the two apartments next to the partially destroyed building will have to spend the night elsewhere. The stability of their home is not in danger, but they would be too inconvenienced by the clearing work which is likely to last a long time.
Two people lost their lives
The public prosecutor’s office, the Explosive Devices Removal and Destruction Service (Sedee), the technical and scientific police laboratory as well as an investigating judge, a forensic doctor and a fire expert visited Thursday afternoon at the scene of the explosion which destroyed the upper part of a building, in the Antwerp district of Hoboken. Police said the aim was to ensure the safety of emergency services during upcoming rescue operations.
The investigation into the causes of the explosion is still ongoing and the police are currently refusing to comment on the subject.
Four residents of the building concerned are still missing. Search operations aimed at locating them, in the event that they are found under the rubble, are currently at a standstill, as the building has not yet been stabilized. A crane is currently working to remove the roof, to allow firefighters to enter the rubble safely. The security perimeter was widened for the occasion.
Another nearby apartment complex was evacuated as a safety precaution. Residents will be accommodated in a district room if necessary.
One person lost his life in this explosion which occurred on Thursday morning. Five other residents were injured, three of them seriously.
A second dead man was found under the rubble in Hoboken after a large explosion in an apartment building. The police did not want to give further details for the moment. At least three people are still wanted.
Rescue operations are still in full swing, mainly clearing operations using a crane and then continuing to search for possible victims. The operation is expected to continue until late at night and perhaps even tomorrow morning. It is possible that the perimeter will still be restricted to allow some people to spend the night at home, but this is not yet clear.
People who are not allowed to return home will be offered shelter. Currently, a number of evacuated local residents are being accommodated at a nearby service center, as they have not found shelter with family or friends.
King Phillip will visit Hoboken on Friday
King Philippe will visit the scene of the explosion on Thursday in the Antwerp district of Hoboken on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. There he will meet the victims and the emergency services.
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