At least three killed in The Hague apartment collapse; More victims likely
At least three people were killed in the early morning explosion and fire at an apartment complex in The Hague on Saturday, said Mayor Jan van Zanen and emergency services officials. Three adults were hospitalized, at least one critically, and the expectation is that there are more people trapped under the rubble who are presumed dead, Van Zanen said at a press conference at about 3:15 p.m.
The body of a second victim was removed from the rubble at about 4:15 p.m. after the press conference had ended, and a third body was recovered about 30 minutes later. The identity of the deceased individuals are not known, Van Zanen said before and right after his press briefing. He refused to speculate on the number of people who were in the residences at the time of the blast, the potential number of living or deceased victims, or the cause of the incident.
While Van Zanen was speaking at City Hall about the first known fatality, a coffin was carried away from the scene by first responders. The regional fire department confirmed that a deceased person was taken away, but it was not clear if this was the single victim Van Zanen indicated in his initial remarks.
He did say that the operation at the scene was no longer a rescue and was instead a recovery operation. “An all-out search is underway for other victims who may be buried under the rubble,” he stated. “It is not known how many people are under the rubble, but the reality is that they have little chance of survival. We are taking into account the darkest scenario.”
Mayor of The Hague corrects earlier reporting
The mayor made a few corrections to previous statements, saying that three injured people were transported by ambulance along with an uninjured child, correcting earlier reports. One of those adults is in really bad shape, Van Zanen told an ANP reporter after the press conference.
Emergency services officials responding to the incident early on were prepared for the possibility of about 20 victims. Van Zanen was unsure how that figure was determined and why it was discussed with reporters.
He also noted that a small blast happened before a much larger second explosion at about 6:15 a.m.. The five apartments which collapsed were above a few ground floor commercial spaces, and adjacent apartments and storefronts were also badly damaged.
Police investigation is ongoing as search for suspicious car continues
“The scale of the destruction caused by the fire and explosions defies description,” Van Zanen said. “Even now, the emergency services are still working very hard. We are taking into account a long operation, and the search will continue tonight.”
There was a small and a big explosion, and the fire followed. A suspicious vehicle was seen racing away from the scene, and police officers were trying to track down the vehicle to determine if it was connected to the incident. Witnesses were asked to come forward, and an additional request for information and camera footage was distributed on citizen alert system Burgernet.
Van Zanen said he could not provide further details about the police investigation, and he would not answer questions about whether there were previous issues in the neighborhood. He also would not respond to questions about whether fireworks, natural gas, or other materials contributed to the explosions and fire.
“The investigation is ongoing.” Police are collecting witness statements and reviewing surveillance footage to track the vehicle. No further details about the car have been released.
Neighbors searched for little girl as building collapsed around them
Emergency responders, including a specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team with canine units and structural engineers, were working at the site to locate survivors. Amid the chaos, neighbors described harrowing scenes. One neighbor, speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, recalled hearing the desperate cries of a trapped child.
“I heard the first bang a little after 6 o'clock and thought, ‘Fireworks.’ Then I heard a second, much heavier bang,” the neighbor said. “I ran outside, and together with someone else, I heard a little girl screaming, ‘Mama! Mama! Help me!’”
The two tried to locate the girl as the fire raged around them. “We were searching, and my neighbor kept asking, ‘Where are you?’ But the girl kept crying, ‘Mama, Mama, Mama!’ Moments later, the building’s facade collapsed. We were standing literally in the fire. That child is gone now. It’s just heartbreaking. We fought for her together,” the neighbor said, as she started to cry.
Emergency procedure continuing; Search operation expected to take hours
The explosion, which occurred around 6:15 a.m., caused extensive damage to the apartment complex and neighboring properties. Large portions of the building were reduced to rubble, with black smoke billowing from the site. Emergency services elevated the response to a Grip 2 level, allowing for greater coordination among agencies. Even late in the afternoon, smoke was still rising from the rubble as firefighters continued their damp-down procedures.
More than 20 ambulances, two trauma helicopters, and multiple fire brigades were dispatched. Authorities cordoned off streets around the site to facilitate rescue operations and urged the public to stay away. Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to lingering smoke.
Search-and-rescue teams were continuing to comb through the debris using specialized equipment and dogs trained to locate survivors. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Investigators will begin their assessment once the site is declared safe. The fire and continuing strong winds have slowed efforts to secure the area.
“This is a very large and serious incident,” Mayor Van Zanen said. “Emergency services are working very hard to get people to safety.” Residents displaced by the fire have been relocated to temporary shelters, and buses have been arranged to transport them.
“The scale of the destruction caused by the fire and explosions defies description,” the mayor added. “Even now, the emergency services are still working very hard. We are taking into account a long operation, and the search will continue tonight.”
National leaders, including Prime Minister Dick Schoof, expressed their support for the city. “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.
Victim Support Netherlands has extended its hotline hours. The hotline will remain open until at least 8 p.m. Saturday, instead of the usual 5 p.m., and will also operate Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an exception to its regular schedule. The phone number is 088-0908000. Those affected by the gravity of the situation, and residents seeking emotional support or practical advice, were encouraged to reach out, the municipality of The Hague said.
