An explosion and fireplace destroyed a number of flats in a neighborhood within the Dutch metropolis of The Hague early Saturday, killing a minimum of three folks and injuring a number of folks, police stated.
The reason behind the catastrophe is unclear however police stated a automotive drove away from the scene “at very excessive pace” shortly after. Mayor Jan van Zanen stated investigators are trying into “all prospects.”
It remains to be unknown how many individuals could also be lacking, although CBS News companion BBC reported emergency first responders are searching for as much as 20 folks considered within the destroyed flats. Authorities stated 4 folks have been rescued from the rubble and brought to the hospital. The AFP reported on Saturday night native time one other individual was pulled from the rubble and brought to the hospital.
Van Zanen stated three our bodies have been pulled from the rubble. The mayor stated rescuers have been now not searching for survivors however for eventual our bodies, however couldn’t specify how many individuals may nonetheless be unaccounted for.
Local media reported that a type of hospitalized was a baby. They additionally reported that a minimum of 5 flats have been destroyed within the blast.
“The fireplace is releasing loads of smoke within the rapid neighborhood… Residents are suggested to shut home windows and doorways and switch off air flow,” authorities stated, in line with AFP.
A line of ambulances might be seen ready close by in anticipation of extra victims. The native hospital spokesperson stated they have been on standby to cope with accidents.
The mayor known as it “a particularly heavy day.”
“I had anticipated a distinct Saturday,” van Zanen instructed a information convention.
Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard an enormous bang and screams earlier than daybreak. One girl instructed native media that she thought an earthquake had occurred.
“I used to be asleep and out of the blue there was this big bang,” 14-year-old Adam Miller instructed AFP. “I regarded out of the window and simply noticed flames. It’s a large shock.”
Dutch authorities deployed a specialised city search and rescue crew to the scene, with 4 canine educated to search out victims. The crew was beforehand used through the devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated in an announcement he was shocked by the photographs of the catastrophe. “My ideas exit to the victims, all different folks concerned and the emergency providers who at the moment are engaged on the scene,” he stated.
The Dutch royal household expressed comparable sentiments.
“Our ideas are with these affected in The Hague after the explosion and fireplace this morning,” together with these “who’re afraid of the destiny of their family members,” King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima stated in an announcement.