A devastating explosion shook the quiet Mariahoeve district of The Hague on Saturday, collapsing part of an apartment building and claiming four lives. Rescuers continue sifting through rubble as fears grow that the death toll may rise to 20.
Dutch authorities confirmed one survivor was pulled from the debris and hospitalized, while three others received treatment earlier. Mayor Jan van Zanen warned during a press conference: \"We’re preparing for the worst-case scenario.\"
The blast destroyed shopfronts and residential floors on Tarwekamp Street, scattering debris across the neighborhood. Police are investigating a vehicle reportedly fleeing the scene and urge witnesses to come forward. While no evidence of foul play exists yet, the mystery deepens as officials work to determine the explosion’s cause.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof described being \"shocked by the terrible images,\" while King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima expressed solidarity with affected families. The building's mixed-use structure – shops below apartments – raises concerns about safety regulations in urban areas.
As night fell, emergency crews continued their high-stakes search under floodlights. Local residents gathered nearby, holding vigil for missing neighbors in a scene reminiscent of disaster films – except this tragedy is all too real.
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While no evidence of foul play exists yet, the mystery deepens as officials work to determine the explosion’s cause.
The building's mixed-use structure – shops below apartments – raises concerns about safety regulations in urban areas.
Local residents gathered nearby, holding vigil for missing neighbors in a scene reminiscent of disaster films – except this tragedy is all too real.
