The Hague, Netherlands — Four bodies have been recovered from the rubble of an apartment building in The Hague that partially collapsed following a massive explosion on Saturday morning, according to Dutch police.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Rescue teams are still on site, searching for survivors amid the debris. Earlier in the evening, one person was pulled from the wreckage and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
During a press conference, Mayor Jan van Zanen expressed concern for those still missing. “The reality is that their chances of survival are very slim. We are preparing for the worst-case scenario,” he said.
Authorities are unsure how many people remain trapped, but fears are that the number of victims could rise to around 20. Three injured individuals were hospitalized earlier in the day.
Emergency services have reported no immediate signs of suspicious activity, though investigations are ongoing. Police noted that a car was seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle.
The explosion occurred on Tarwekamp Street in the Mariahoeve district of The Hague. Images from the scene show that the facades of several apartments have been destroyed. The building houses shops on the ground floor with two residential floors above. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his shock on social media, writing, “Shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague.”
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima also shared their sympathies, stating, “We sympathize with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
