Up to 20 trapped in rubble after The Hague apartment building fire & explosion

Emergency services are responding to a devastating explosion early Saturday morning that partially destroyed a three-story apartment building on Tarwekamp in The Hague. A specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team has been deployed to the site, consisting of four canine handlers and a structural engineer. This unit is trained to locate and extricate individuals trapped under collapsed buildings. Up to 20 people could be trapped underneath the rubble, according to a spokesperson from the regional safety authority.

The incident occurred around 6:15 a.m. in the Mariahoeve neighborhood. A powerful blast, followed by a large fire, caused multiple apartments to collapse, leaving a “gaping hole” in the structure, witnesses said. The fire quickly spread, engulfing parts of the building in thick black smoke, which continues to billow over the area hours after the explosion.

Emergency responders, including two trauma helicopters, several fire brigades, and at least 20 ambulances, were dispatched to the scene. The region has declared Grip 2, a heightened emergency coordination level.

At least four people have been rescued and transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department. Search-and-rescue teams, assisted by specialized equipment, are working tirelessly to locate any survivors who may still be trapped under the rubble. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.

The explosion also caused damage to nearby properties, and multiple streets in the vicinity have been cordoned off. Emergency services are urging members of the public to avoid the area to ensure clear access for responders and heavy equipment.

Photographs taken at the site reveal the extensive damage. Five to seven apartments were completely destroyed, leaving the remaining sections of the building unstable. “There’s nothing left of the ground floor. It’s unrecognizable,” said an eyewitness.

A witness nearby reported hearing three distinct explosions: one near a car parked outside the building and two closer to the structure itself. A vehicle in front of the flat was completely destroyed by fire shortly after the blast, adding to the intensity of the incident.

One woman recounted how she fled her apartment as the explosion shook her building. “I woke up, and suddenly everything was shaking. When I looked out of my window, I saw a car engulfed in flames outside,” she said.

Mayor Jan van Zanen arrived at the scene at approximately 7:30 a.m. to receive a briefing from emergency services personnel. After assessing the situation, the mayor left the site to allow rescue teams to focus on their operations without interruption, his spokesperson confirmed.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion. Investigators are expected to begin their assessment once the site is declared safe. In the meantime, displaced residents have been relocated to temporary shelters, with local organizations providing food, blankets, and other necessities.

Residents living near the affected building have been advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke lingering in the air. Ventilation systems should also remain turned off to prevent exposure to potentially hazardous fumes, officials said.