A minimum of 4 folks have died and three others are injured after explosions rocked a block of flats in The Hague within the Netherlands, authorities have mentioned.
Firefighters rushed to the three-storey constructing following the blasts that induced the collapse of a number of properties within the Tarwekamp space at round 06:15 (05:15 GMT) on Saturday.
The town’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, mentioned it was unknown how many individuals have been nonetheless lacking.
The reason for the explosions shouldn’t be but clear, however Dutch police mentioned a automobile drove away “at very excessive velocity” shortly after, and have appealed for witnesses.
Van Zanen mentioned the prospect of survivors being pulled from the rubble was slim, and urged the group to organize for a “worst case situation”.
It was earlier thought as much as 20 folks might have been within the flats on the time of the blast, however the mayor refused to take a position on this.
Dutch police mentioned a fourth physique had been recovered, with a fifth particular person hospitalised. The hearth service mentioned a fifth particular person had been pulled from the rubble however had since died – although it’s unclear if this is similar one who was taken to hospital.
Whereas authorities mentioned earlier that 4 folks have been injured, the mayor revised that quantity down to a few.
Dutch media reported 5 flats have been destroyed within the explosion.
Rescue groups with sniffer canines have been deployed to sift by means of the particles, however components of the positioning stay too harmful to entry.
A big excavator has been introduced in to take away particles and lighting erected on the website.
Fourteen-year-old Adam Muller advised the AFP information company the explosion “felt like an earthquake”.
“I used to be asleep and all of the sudden there was this enormous bang,” he mentioned.
“I appeared out of the window and simply noticed flames. It is a large shock,” he added.
Nationwide police commissioner within the Netherlands Janny Knol mentioned there was “disbelief and uncertainty” in the neighborhood.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima mentioned in a press release: “We sympathise with all those that have been personally affected or who concern for the destiny of their family members.”
