Suspicious car found set on fire shortly after fatal apartment explosion in The Hague

Authorities in The Hague said that a suspicious car was found set on fire close to the location where a series of explosions and a fire at an apartment building left five people dead. Few other details were released at a press conference on Sunday night despite the growing frustration of area residents.

Investigators said they still do not know if anybody is still missing at the Tarwekamp, where the first explosion was heard at about 6:15 a.m. on Saturday. Five people were rescued, four of whom were hospitalized including two in critical condition.

Remnants of car set on fire found, Criminal investigation underway

"A burnt-out car was found near the explosion, the connection is being further investigated. It is not yet known what the cause is, but there are indications that it is a crime," said Margreet Fröberg from the district office of the Public Prosecution Service. Police previously said that a car was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed moments after the explosion.

"We know from images that a car drove away shortly after the explosion. We don't know who the driver is, or what kind of car it is. We would like to find out," said Karin Krukkert, the district police chief. A description of the car seen racing off from the area was not released, nor was a description of the torched vehicle authorities discovered.

Fröberg and Krukkert refused to say why investigators believe the incident was linked to the criminal underworld, and may not have been an accident. "We cannot yet say whether this incident is drug-related, but that is being investigated," Fröberg continued. Justice and Security Minister David van Weel made similarly vague comments after visiting the Tarwekamp with Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Cause of the explosion in The Hague remains unknown

At least two explosions were heard at the apartment building on Tarwekamp in The Hague. One of these blasts was extremely powerful, triggering a massive fire that took hours to extinguish.

"We are also considering the scenario that an explosive was thrown, but we cannot say anything about that yet. We are still busy with the investigation, it is still too early. The fire brigade is still investigating the disaster site. After that, the forensic team can investigate," Fröberg added.

"The cause of the explosion is not yet clear. It is important to gather as much information as possible as quickly as possible. We started doing that immediately, including camera footage. Extinguishing the fire at the scene and recovering bodies always takes precedence," she continued.

Once search-and-rescue workers could enter the location, the bodies of five victims were found in the rubble, and one survivor was found nearly 12 hours after the explosion took place. Two investigative teams were mobilized to handle the disaster. One is focused on the cause of the explosion, while the other is working to identify the remains of those killed, authorities in The Hague said on Sunday.

The Hague still trying to determine how many people might still be missing

Authorities also refused to release further details about the number of people missing, information about those rescued, and the identities of the deceased.

"We now know that five people have died, and five have survived," said The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen. "There is uncertainty about missing people, tomorrow there will be empty spaces in classrooms, companies and offices."

"We are still investigating the number of missing people, there are no firm figures on that yet. You must understand that we will first inform the relatives. We cannot yet say anything about the identity of the victims," said Krukkert, the police chief.

A total of 19 households were most affected, and everyone will be helped, says mayor

A total of 40 apartments were evacuated, 19 of them were damaged, and five were completely destroyed. Those who have been put out of their homes have also received temporary housing organized by the city, said Van Zanen.

Van Zanen praised the "stream of good deeds" and initiatives launched to help those trying to recover from the disaster in the Mariahoeve neighborhood. A fundraising campaign to help the victims has already topped 300,000 euros, double what organizers had hoped.

"We, as a municipality, are still arranging the reception tonight. Tomorrow there will be discussions based on individual situations, and later it will be a discussion about insurance and personalization," the mayor continued.

"But no one will end up on the street, period."

Search efforts and clean-up will continue during the overnight hours

Workers continued to search for remains, and clear the rubble overnight and into Sunday morning. "The work continues unabated. It is expected that the operation to remove the rubble will carry on this evening and overnight to remove the rubble," the Haaglanden Emergency Services Office said on Sunday evening.

"Parts of the building that are very unstable are also being removed to prevent it from collapsing uncontrollably."