Apartment block in The Hague ‘partially collapsed’ after explosion

A three-story apartment block in The Hague partially collapsed Saturday after a fire and explosion, firefighters said, with first responders searching for people under the rubble, Azernews reports, citing Arab News.

“At this moment, the emergency services are busy rescuing and searching for people and fighting the fire,” said the city’s fire service in a statement.

It was not known how many people could be missing nor what caused the explosion in the block of flats not far from the center of the city.

According to local media outlet Regio15, several people had already been rescued from the scene. Four people injured in the explosion had been taken to local hospitals, according to the fire service.

“The fire is releasing a lot of smoke in the immediate vicinity... Residents are advised to close windows and doors and turn off ventilation,” authorities said.

The city’s mayor Jan van Zanen was on site to coordinate rescue efforts, according to Regio15. Homes on multiple floors appeared to have been destroyed by the explosion, said Regio15.

Early images from public broadcaster NOS showed several dozen firefighters tackling a large blaze and breaking down doors to gain access to the block.

A picture from local news agency ANP showed one person being led away on a stretcher into a waiting ambulance.