Explosion destroys room at Delft asylum shelter; E-scooter battery suspected as cause
An explosion ripped through the fifth floor of a former hotel housing asylum seekers in Delft early Saturday, blowing out part of the building’s exterior, AD reports. Emergency services say the blast occurred around 8 a.m. and was likely caused by the battery of an electric scooter.
The explosion happened inside a room on the top floor of the building on Kleveringweg. The force of the blast destroyed the room’s outer wall and sent debris flying into the street below. The heavily damaged electric scooter was found lying several meters from the building.
No injuries were reported, but police, firefighters, and ambulance services responded in large numbers. The building was evacuated as a precaution. All residents were relocated to a different site.
Authorities have not confirmed the exact cause, but said the blast was probably the result of a malfunctioning electric scooter battery.
The former hotel, now serving as an emergency shelter for asylum seekers, has been used to house residents awaiting decisions on their immigration status. Local officials have not said when the building might reopen.
