Alleged target in Hague fatal explosion "deeply shocked"; Suspects' first hearing today

The owner of the bridal store that may have been the target of an explosion that killed six people in Tarwekamp in The Hague on Saturday is “deeply shocked” by what happened. She sympathizes deeply with all the victims and their loved ones, the young woman said to the Telegraaf, speaking through a family member. The four men arrested for involvement in the devastating explosion will be arraigned on Friday.

“She is completely devastated and can barely function anymore,” the woman’s spokesperson told the newspaper. “The police are not allowing her to say anything because it could harm the investigation. Utruths are being spread via social media and that is affecting her deeply.” The woman is “fully cooperating with the investigation,” her spokesperson said. “It is a nightmare for everyone, including us.”

The police have concluded their investigation at the site of the explosion and resulting fire, which destroyed the bridal store, a bar, and five apartments, and damaged at least 14 other residences. The police found no signs of a drug lab in the building and ruled out a gas explosion. On Tuesday, investigators revealed that the bridal store may have been the target of the explosion.

Since then, rumors have been flying about the bridal store, including that it is a front for other activities, that the woman and her family have many registered businesses that may or may not exist, and that the quality of the bridal fashion was more like cheap items from China sold for a very high price.

“They opened when they felt like it. It was a weird company,” a local told Omroep West about the bridal store, called Aliyahs Styling. “I could say a lot about it, but I won’t.”

Based on information from the Chamber of Commerce, the broadcaster reported that the bridal shop had moved several times in The Hague region since it was founded in 2018, moving from The Hague to Leidschendam, then Zoetermeer, and back to The Hague. Between these moves, the company was deregistered from the Chamber of Commerce and then continued with a different owner under the same name. A 27-year-old woman owns the shop in The Hague. Her 29-year-old sister seemed to have owned the location in Leidschendam.

The police have not said why they think the bridal store may have been the target of the explosive attack. They’ve arrested four men for suspected involvement in the explosion, arresting three on Monday and one on Wednesday. All four will appear before the examining magistrate on Friday. The magistrate will look at the available evidence and decide whether the suspects should stay in custody for another two weeks when they’ll have a full remand hearing.

Today’s hearing is not open to the public, but the authorities may make more information about the suspicions against the men public afterward.

The bridal store owner is also eagerly awaiting more information, her spokesperson told the Telegraaf. “We also want to know what happened. It is a big mystery to us and we want this to be solved as soon as possible. Everything we are doing now is on the advice of the police.” She asked the media to leave the young woman and her family alone. “We ask for your understanding that nothing can be said now.”