It’s time for the first assessments after the collapse of a three-story building in The Hague in the Netherlands, following an explosion and fire. According to the mayor, Jan Van Zanen, so far one person has died. “It has just been announced that the body of a deceased person has been found” under the rubble, Mayor Jan van Zanen said, adding that the chances of finding survivors were “low”.
Firefighters continue their search to find victims under the rubble… “Emergency services are rescuing and searching for people, and fighting the fire,” the city’s fire department said in a statement. .
An AFP journalist on site reported the presence of dozens of fire trucks battling the fire from the ground and higher positions. Debris is scattered across the street and several windows have been blown out. Huge columns of smoke rise into the sky, leaving a pungent smell in the air. According to local media Regio15, several people have already been rescued at the scene.
Four people injured in explosion
Rescuers do not know how many people are still under the rubble, or what may have caused the explosion in the building located not far from the city center. Four people injured in the explosion were taken to local hospitals, firefighters said.
City mayor Jan van Zanen visited the scene to coordinate rescue efforts, Regio15 reported. Several floors of the building appear to have been destroyed in the explosion, according to the same source. Search and rescue teams specializing in searching for victims during natural disasters were on their way to the scene with rescue dogs, NOS said.
