A three-storey apartment building partially collapsed in The Hague on Saturday following a fire and explosion, said firefighters, who were searching for people under the rubble. “Emergency services are rescuing and searching for people and battling the fire,” the city's fire department said in a statement.
Several floors of the building appear to have been destroyed
Rescuers do not know the number of people still under the rubble, or what may have caused the explosion in this building, located not far from the city center. According to local media Regio15, several people have already been rescued.
Four people injured in the explosion were taken to hospitals, firefighters said. “The fire is giving off a lot of smoke. Residents are asked to close windows and doors and turn off the ventilation“, asked the authorities.
City mayor Jan van Zanen visited the scene to coordinate rescue efforts, according to Regio15. Several floors of the building appear to have been destroyed in the explosion, according to Regio15. The first images broadcast by the public channel NOS show several dozen firefighters fighting the fire and forcing the doors to enter the building.
