The incident took place in a three-storey apartment building in the district of Mariahoeve. At least four people have been taken to hospital, writes the newspaper De Telegraaf. They were on a veranda which collapsed, according to the newspaper. The explosion occurred at 06:15 local time, according to the local fire service. The reason is currently unknown. According to the news agency AP, the police fear that several people have died after an explosion in an apartment block in The Hague in the Netherlands on Saturday morning. Photos show that parts of the L-shaped building have collapsed. Five apartments are said to have been destroyed. A photographer from the news agency ANP describes “a large, gaping hole” where the apartments were located. In another nearby building, the windows were also blown out. It is not clear whether the explosion was due to an accident or whether it was a deliberate act. Shortly afterwards, a car is said to have driven away from the scene at high speed. Police are now looking for more witnesses who may have seen the car. Fear of more victims Several people are missing after the incident, and work is now being done to search for survivors. The emergency services fear that up to 20 people may have died, but the figures have not been confirmed. Four people have been confirmed dead so far. – We do not know how many people are still trapped under the ruins, but the truth is that there is little chance of finding survivors, says the mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen. Mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen. Here from a press conference in 2019. Photo: Robin Utrecht / AFP The fire brigade in The Hague reports that one person has been rescued from the ruins alive, and that he is on his way to hospital. They say nothing about the extent of the damage to the person. The explosion led to a severe fire, and images show large clouds of smoke rising from the building. A specialized rescue team has been called in to assist in the search, and rescue dogs have been sent into the ruins. However, they had to wait until the fire brigade had extinguished the fire. A neighbor told De Telegraaf that he heard a loud bang followed by silence. Then came the sirens. – It was very intense, the house on the side collapsed. The king’s statement The mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, has gone to the scene to coordinate the rescue work. He thanked the emergency services for their efforts so far. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima have issued a public statement to the population on Saturday. – Our thoughts go out to those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning. We live with everyone who has been personally affected or who is afraid of the fate of their loved ones. Our hearts also go out to the emergency services who are working full time with the rescue work. Four people have been taken to hospital. Photo: Josh Walet / AFP The local football club VUC has canceled all home games on Saturday. The stadium is only a stone’s throw away from the apartment building. In an earlier version of this case, it was said that the incident happened in the district of Tarwekamp. The correct thing is that this is the street/residential area where the accident happened. Published 07.12.2024, at 08.38 Updated 07.12.2024, at 18.38
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