Netherlands: at least four dead in building collapse in The Hague

At least four people died after a building in The Hague collapsed on Saturday, December 7 following an explosion and fire. “One person was just pulled out alive from the debris and taken to hospital”also announced the firefighters in a press release. Earlier, Dutch authorities said they were unable to say whether or how many people could be trapped under the ruins.

At least five apartments were destroyed, Mayor Jan van Zanen reported at a press conference. Mr van Zanen had initially reported at least one dead but police later announced that four bodies had been pulled from the rubble.

A journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) noted the presence of dozens of fire trucks. Debris is scattered across the street and several windows have been blown out. Huge columns of smoke rose into the sky.

Firefighters battled the blaze from the ground and huge cherry pickers, while ambulances transported the injured to hospital and police helicopters circled above the area.

Judicial police dispatched to the scene

The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but police have launched an appeal for witnesses regarding a car seen hastily leaving the scene shortly after the explosion earlier in the day. “Shortly after the explosion, around 6:15 a.m., a car left the scene at very high speed”police said in a statement. “The police would like to contact people who saw this car driving or who can provide camera images,” she clarified. Investigators from the judicial police were dispatched to the scene, reported an AFP journalist.

Residents of the building told local media that the building was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children. The building was occupied by stores on the ground floor and five apartments on two floors, the authorities said.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he “Shocked by terrible images of collapsed apartment building in The Hague”on X. “My thoughts are with the victims, everyone else involved and the emergency services currently working at the scene”he continued, promising all the necessary help.

The King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, reacted on social networks: “We express our sympathy to those directly affected or worried about their loved ones”. About 40 residents of other buildings near the one that collapsed were evacuated.