The city’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, visited the site to coordinate relief efforts.
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. 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.
Firefighters announced around 6:20 p.m. that a person emerged alive from the rubble of the collapsed building. “One person was just pulled out alive from the debris and taken to hospital“, the firefighters said in a press release.
“It has just been announced that the body of a deceased person has been found“under the rubble, Mayor Jan van Zanen declared in the middle of the afternoon during a press conference, adding that the chances of finding survivors were “weak“.
“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“, he added to journalists. Shortly after, the body of a second person was found. Three injured people had already been transported to hospital.
“It’s incredible what happened there” said Mr. van Zanen. “We expect the worst scenario“, he continued. The mayor estimated that the rescue operations would take time. He did not give any clues as to a possible cause of the explosion and the collapse of the building. “Investigators are on site“, insisted the mayor.
At least five apartments were destroyed, Mayor Jan Van Zanen said at a news conference, but authorities were unable to say whether or how many people may have remained trapped under the rubble.
An important emergency device
Dozens of fire trucks battled the blaze from the ground and higher positions, while police helicopters flew overhead. Debris is scattered across the street and several windows have been blown out. Huge columns of smoke rose into the sky, spreading a pungent odor into the air.
Firefighters battled the flames from the ground and using huge cherry pickers. Meanwhile, ambulances were transporting the injured to hospital and police helicopters were circling above the area. 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.
“Shortly after the explosion, around 6:15 a.m. (05:15 GMT), a car left the scene at very high speed,” police said in a statement. “The police would like to contact people who saw this car driving or who can provide camera footage,” she clarified.
Three people injured in the explosion, including a child, were evacuated by ambulance, the mayor said. 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,” said Adam Muller, 14, who lives in the neighborhood. “I looked out the window and I just saw flames. It’s a huge shock.”
It was like an earthquake
Authorities warned residents to close their windows and turn off ventilation systems because of the smoke. The building was occupied by stores on the ground floor and five apartments on two floors, authorities said.
The mayor went to the site to coordinate relief efforts. “It was like an earthquake,” said a 53-year-old man who identified himself 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 broadcast by public channel 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 “shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague”, on X. “My thoughts are with the victims, everyone else involved and the emergency services currently working at the scene,” he continued, promising any help needed.
The King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, reacted on social networks: “We express our sympathy to those directly affected or concerned about their loved ones.”
About 40 residents of other buildings near the collapsed building were evacuated.
netherlands the hague explosion
