Utrecht sports complex collapses under snow with 20 people inside; No one hurt
Part of a sports center in Utrecht collapsed on Wednesday evening. Approximately 20 people were inside, but everyone exited safely and unharmed. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but the 20 centimeters of snow that fell in the area in recent days likely played a role.
The building in question is Hal22 on Zonnebaan. It features a gym, paddle courts, tennis courts, squash courts, and bowling alleys.
The building partially collapsed at around 7:00 p.m. The collapse occurred in the area of the paddle courts and fitness center. For a long time, it was unclear whether everyone got out, and the building was too unstable for first responders to enter and search.
Emergency services eventually searched the building using a drone. That, combined with the fact that the complex uses a pass system and no one was unaccounted for, was enough to confirm that no one was hurt.
Perry Overeem, one of the owners of Hal22, told ANP that employees called him saying they could hear noises and some of the ceiling was starting to crack. “The decision was made to evacuate immediately.”
A 27-year-old man was exercising in the fitness center with about 15 other people when the staff suddenly called on everyone to leave immediately. “Within a minute, everyone was gone, and we were all standing outside. When I walked outside, I heard a cracking sound from somewhere above me,” he told NOS. “People heard the urgency in the call to leave as quickly as possible. We knew immediately that something was wrong.”
Images on social media showed people in sportswear waiting at the entrance to the complex. According to the 27-year-old man, many people had to leave without their personal belongings.
Overeem is relieved that no one got hurt. “Other than that, this is terrible. It’s a life’s work. This is a very bad scenario for all our employees, our guests, and for ourselves.”
