Burned building's structural instability complicates rescue efforts in The Hague

Structural instability was complicating efforts to search the rubble of an explosion and fire at a residential complex in The Hague. Emergency services teams entered their sixth hour in a major response to the incident, which happened on Tarwekamp at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday. Four people were hospitalized, and as many as 20 others were feared missing.

The sniffer dogs were initially deployed after the explosion, but their operations were halted as safety protocols dictated a halt due to the instability of the structure. “A new plan of action needs to be developed before we can continue searching for people who may have been affected by the explosion and subsequent fire,” said the fire department. The fire department confirmed that sniffer dogs were only able to be used after the firefighting efforts were completed. The situation remains tense, as authorities are concerned about potential further collapses within the building.

Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague previously indicated that the smoldering flames and stiff wind had hampered the response. Emergency services workers entered their sixth hour trying to tackle an incident that was scaled up under a regional disaster protocol.

In addition to the sniffer dogs, law enforcement has deployed drones and helicopters to monitor the area. The use of aerial technology aims to provide additional oversight of the damage and might assist in rescue efforts.

Police have been working closely with emergency services, and a large-scale operation has been established to coordinate efforts on the ground. "I am thinking of the victims and all the emergency workers who have been putting everything into action since early this morning," said Janny Knol, chief of police for The Hague, in a post on social media.

Hospitals in The Hague and the surrounding area said they were ready when needed to assist in the explosion on Tarwekamp, said a spokesperson for the Haaglanden Medical Center (HMC). They are largely waiting for the moment that more victims are found and have not yet needed to scale up. “But we are on standby,” she said. The HMC has several locations in The Hague.

The three adults and one child who were initially hospitalized with injuries were taken to different hospitals, according to the Haaglanden Emergency Services Office. The hospitals involved were not disclosed, nor was the extent of the victims’ injuries.

As emergency response efforts continue, temporary shelters have been set up for the victims of the explosion. The district office on Loudonstraat in The Hague has been designated as a refuge for those affected. Municipality employees, the Red Cross, and Victim Support volunteers have been present to assist evacuees and provide emotional support. Although the exact number of people utilizing the shelter is unclear, local residents began arriving around 10:30 a.m.

Nearby, a local community center opened its doors to provide further assistance. Volunteers at the center are offering coffee, and there are supplies of food and clothing available for those in need. By 10:00 a.m., a small number of people, mainly police officers, were present at the center.

Authorities have established a dedicated helpline for those who are concerned about family members or loved ones who may have been affected by the explosion. The "Ikzoekmijnnaaste" helpline, reachable at 088 0908 800, is available for anyone seeking information on missing individuals. For general inquiries related to the disaster, the municipality of The Hague can be reached at 14070.

The explosion also had an impact on local sports activities. VUC, a football club in the Mariahoeve district, announced that all of its home matches scheduled for Saturday had been canceled due to the explosion. The sports complex at Het Kleine Loo, located near the site of the explosion, was deemed unavailable as a result of the incident. The club expressed its solidarity with the victims and their families, stating that "the board of VUC is deeply moved by the victims and all those affected by this disaster."