Dutch investigators said Sunday they suspected the explosion and flames that caused an apartment building to collapse in The Hague, killing at least five people, was a "criminal act".

Rescue personnel were digging through the rubble in an effort to recover bodies from the blast that destroyed five homes early Saturday, but the number of individuals who may still be buried under the debris remains unknown.

Chief public prosecutor Margreet Froberg told reporters that while the cause of the blast, which occurred early Saturday morning in the Mariahoeve neighborhood of the Dutch city, was still unknown, "what is clear to us is that there are indications that it is a crime," adding that details regarding the investigation will be revealed as soon as possible.

So far, five bodies have been recovered from the ruins of the three-story apartment building, and one living person was pulled out and rushed to the hospital. 

There are four injured individuals in the hospital, but police say the severity of the burns made identifying victims only possible via DNA records.

Speaking to reporters, Mayor Jan van Zanen said 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.”

Karin Krukkert, the Hague police commander, said investigations were focused on a car spotted speeding away from the area immediately after the explosion at 6:15 am (0515 GMT) on Saturday.

"Clearly, we would very much like to speak to the driver" of this vehicle, she added, although the link between the vehicle and the explosion remains unclear. 

Two different teams have been formed, one to identify fatalities and the other to determine what caused the explosion, she added, adding that the investigation will take some time.

An explosion occurred in a three-story residential building in The Hague, injuring four people.

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.

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'Chaos and destruction'

Mayor Jan van Zanen explained that expert rescue teams were investigating the basements of the fallen building in a final effort to locate bodies, detailing how the task should be performed tonight or early in the morning. 

"We are witnessing an unprecedented disaster here... the suffering is incalculable," the mayor stated. 

Residents had informed local media that the apartment tower was mostly occupied by elderly people and families with children.

Around 40 tenants from neighboring blocks surrounding the fallen building were evacuated. Some have been taken by bus to an unknown destination.

Froberg, the chief public prosecutor, characterized the events that shook the city before dawn on Saturday as "unimaginable and terrible."

"One moment you are lying quietly in your warm bed and the next moment total chaos and destruction," she expressed.