Apartment block blast in The Hague kills at least four
2 Min Read
Concerns grow over a higher death toll as the mayor of the Dutch city reports that the chances of finding survivors beneath the rubble are slim.
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Impact of explosion in The Hague on December 7, 2024. (Social media)
At least four people have been confirmed dead after an explosion and fire caused a building to collapse in The Hague, with the city's mayor stating that the chances of finding additional survivors are slim.
The cause of the blast, which occurred early Saturday morning in the Mariahoeve neighborhood of the Dutch city, remains unknown.
Police have confirmed recovering four bodies from the debris, as concerns grow that the death toll could rise significantly.
An explosion in the Mariahoeve neighbourhood of The Hague has destroyed several apartments and injured multiple people.
— British Pakistani Index (@PakistaniIndex) December 7, 2024
Residents reported hearing a loud bang and screams before dawn.
Fire broke out as part of the complex collapsed. #TheHague #Explosion pic.twitter.com/chzrKuqmcU
Speaking to reporters, Mayor Jan van Zanen said that the number of people who remain under the rubble is yet to be determined, "but the reality is that there is only a slim chance of survival for them... It is unbelievable what happened there."
He stated that three injured individuals had been transported to the hospital and that emergency responders were still working at the site. However, he added, “What started as a rescue operation has now become a recovery operation. We are expecting the worst-case scenario.”
An explosion occurred in a three-story residential building in The Hague, injuring four people.
— ☦️Jacob🇷🇺Charite☦️ Иагов (@jaccocharite) December 7, 2024
It is still unknown what caused the accident. A car was seen driving away at high speed at the scene of the accident, local media write, citing the police.
It is reported that there… pic.twitter.com/P5YMswKll1
The fire service in The Hague stated, “At this time, emergency teams are engaged in rescue efforts, searching for survivors, and combating the fire.”
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) reporter at the scene observed numerous fire trucks as firefighters worked to control the blaze, both from the ground and higher up. Debris was scattered across the street, and several nearby windows had been shattered.
The reporter also noted large clouds of smoke rising from a sizable gap where the building once stood, with a strong, unpleasant odor in the air.
