Police requested information regarding an automobile that was observed driving away from the scene shortly after the explosion, though the cause of the blast was not immediately known.
Authorities said that a massive explosion and fire caused an apartment complex in The Hague to collapse on Saturday, killing at least four people. However, firefighters were able to rescue a person who was still alive from the debris.
At least five houses were destroyed in the explosion and ensuing fire, but Mayor Jan van Zanen told reporters that it was unclear how many people were buried beneath the rubble.
As concerns grew that the death toll would be significantly higher, authorities announced that four bodies had been recovered from the wreckage.
An on-scene reporter witnessed scenes of destruction, including massive smoke plumes, burned-out cars, blown-out windows, and debris scattered over the street.
While police helicopters buzzed overhead and ambulances transported the injured to the hospital, firefighters battled the fire from the ground and from enormous cherry-pickers.
The number of persons still beneath the debris is unknown. However, the truth is that their chances of surviving are really poor,” the mayor stated. “It is unbelievable what happened there.”
Hours later, however, the fire department reported that a survivor had been removed from the wreckage and sent to a hospital.
Although the origin of the explosion was not immediately known, authorities requested information regarding a vehicle that was observed leaving the site quickly after the explosion.
According to Van Zanen, a tiny explosion was followed by a bigger one and a massive fire.
Heavy construction equipment moved in to try to clean the debris after firemen had put out the fire.
With the aid of sniffer dogs, elite rescue personnel who have been trained to recover survivors from natural disasters searched through the rubble.
Because of the smoke, authorities advised residents to keep their windows closed and switch off their ventilation systems.
According to a reporter, forensic experts showed up on the scene to start looking into the possible cause of the explosion.
Police claimed in a statement that “a car drove away at very high speed at around 6:15 am, shortly after the explosion.”
Anyone who witnessed this vehicle driving or who might have camera footage should be contacted by the police.
According to police, the building’s three floors included five two-story flats with living rooms on the second floor and bedrooms on the top, as well as stores on the ground floors.
Local hospitals were prepared to care for the victims.
Residents told local media that families with children and the elderly made up the majority of the apartment complex’s residents.
About 40 people have been evacuated from neighboring buildings close to the collapsed building. Some have been transported to an unidentified destination by bus. “Shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof posted on X.
“My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved and the emergency services who are now working on the scene,” stated Schoof.
He claimed to have communicated with the city’s authorities and offered assistance when needed.
“We sympathise with those personally affected or who are worried about their loved ones,” said Dutch King Willem-Alexander on social media.
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