Several hospitalized in The Hague apartment explosion, mayor says in update
Update: Hours later, Van Zanen said the child was uninjured, and was transported by ambulance along with the three injured adults.
At least one child was among the four people already hospitalized after an apartment complex explosion and fire in The Hague, said the city’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, describing the situation as "a very major incident." The fire on early Saturday morning destroyed five two-story apartments and damaged several others, including the tapas bar and beauty salon located on the ground floor. A suspicious vehicle was seen racing away from the scene, police said.
Four hours after the incident happened at 6:15 a.m., it remained unclear how many people were missing or wounded and if any victims were killed. Several elderly people were believed to be living in the complex, as well as families with children.
“We are still searching for victims who may be under the rubble,” Van Zanen said to reporters at the scene. The emergency response was affected by the continuing fire and strong wind.
“The emergency services are working very hard to get people to safety. I was at the scene of the incident early this morning and saw with my own eyes that it is a very large incident.” The scale of the emergency alarm meant that the first responders were already coordinating with Mayor Van Zanen’s office by 6:45 a.m., about a half-hour after the incident was first reported.
“People who are affected but not injured are being cared for, and overnight stays are also being offered. Buses are available to transport them to the shelter.”
The cause of the explosion and fire remained under investigation. An initial statement from local police indicated that a car sped off from the area moments after the explosion.
Police officers were trying to track down witnesses and camera footage that may have captured the vehicle. A preliminary description of the vehicle was not released.
Van Zanen had the support of Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who offered national assistance if needed. "I’m horrified by the images of the collapsed building in The Hague. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the responders on-site," Schoof said.
Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), echoed similar sentiments, writing on X: "Horrible news. My thoughts are with everyone affected, and I want to thank all emergency responders. #DenHaag."
VVD leader Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius also expressed her concern on X, formerly known as Twitter: "What terrible news from The Hague. My thoughts are with all the victims and those affected. Immense thanks to the emergency services who are working so hard to bring everyone to safety."
Neighbors reported the incident, including a smell of smoke, a car on fire, and a residential blaze just after 6:15 a.m. A major response was organized, including ambulances, firefighters, police officers, search and rescue teams, and medical trauma teams traveling on the ground and by helicopter. The emergency response was elevated to a Grip 1 alarm by 6:30 a.m. and a Grip 2 alarm by 6:45 a.m.
“We are doing everything we can to help people, and as soon as there is more clarity about the extent of this incident, I will respond further. A press conference will be held around 3 p.m.,” Van Zanen said.
The Grip 1 emergency protocol is put in place for larger incidents that require all responding personnel to organize under a single incident commander. This scales up to a Grip 2 when the affected area is larger and requires more personnel to tackle the emergency. A regional operational team is established, with a team leader who coordinates efforts on the ground with the resources they need, including victim services, disaster control, and crisis management.
The regional operation team coordinates local services with the mayor and works with the mayor’s office to make them at a municipal level.
