At least three people died after a building in The Hague collapsed Saturday following an explosion and fire, and the chances of finding survivors were slim, Dutch authorities said.
At least five apartments were destroyed but authorities were unable to say whether or how many people may have been trapped under the rubble, the city's mayor, Jan van Zanen, told a conference. press.
Mr van Zanen had initially reported at least one death but police later announced that three bodies had been pulled from the rubble and fears were growing of an even higher death toll.
An AFP journalist on site noted the presence of dozens of fire trucks who battled the fire from the ground and higher positions. Police helicopters flew overhead.
Debris was scattered across the street and several windows were blown out. Huge columns of smoke rose into the sky, spreading a pungent odor into the air.
“It is not known how many people are still under the rubble, but the reality is that they have only a slim chance of survival,” the mayor said.
“It’s incredible what happened there,” said Mr. van Zanen, who quickly went there.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but police have launched an appeal for witnesses regarding a car seen hastily leaving the scene shortly after the explosion earlier in the day.
Judicial police investigators were dispatched to the scene.
According to the mayor, there were two explosions, one small and one large, then a huge fire.
Three injured people, including a child, were evacuated by ambulance, the mayor said.
| © ANP/AFP Collapse of a residential building after an explosion and fire, December 7, 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands |
Residents of the building told local media that the building was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children.
“I was asleep and suddenly there was this loud noise,” Adam Muller, 14, who lives in the neighborhood, told AFP.
“I looked out the window and I just saw flames. It's a huge shock.”
“Like an earthquake”
Authorities warned residents to close their windows and turn off ventilation systems because of the smoke.
| © ANP/AFP Emergency services at the site of a residential building that collapsed after an explosion and fire, December 7, 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands |
The building was occupied by stores on the ground floor and five apartments on two floors, authorities said.
“It was like an earthquake,” said a 53-year-old man who gave his name as Dimi, declining to give his last name.
“Something collapsed, but we didn't see where it came from. I know these neighbors. My children go to school with them,” he added.
The first images from public broadcaster NOS showed several dozen firefighters battling a large fire and breaking down doors to gain access to the building.
Hospitals in the region were put on alert to treat the victims.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was “shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague”, on X.
| | © ANP/AFP Firefighters battle a fire in a residential building in The Hague after an explosion, December 7, 2024 in the Netherlands |
“My thoughts are with the victims, everyone else involved and the emergency services currently working at the scene,” he continued, promising all help needed.
The King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, reacted on social networks: “We express our sympathy towards those directly affected or worried about their loved ones.”
About 40 residents of other buildings near the collapsed building were evacuated.
