The Hague City Council honors victims of the Tarwekamp explosion with moment of silence

Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague took a moment to commemorate the victims of the explosions at the Tarwekamp apartment complex a week ago after he opened the full meeting of the City Council on Wednesday. Six people lost their lives in the explosion, and four more were injured.

“Six people’s lives were taken away, suddenly, out of nowhere,” said Van Zanen. “In their own home, a place where you are supposed to feel safe. Entrepreneurs saw their business go up in flames. It is, and remains, incomprehensible.”

The explosions and subsequent fire caused the collapse of five apartments, and 14 other homes in the complex were damaged. The two-floor apartments sat above the commercial spaces on the ground floor of the three-storey building.

Van Zanen spoke of his gratitude for the work carried out by emergency services, which was “not just heavy and emotionally taxing but also certainly not without danger.” It took firefighters hours to extinguish the flames due to the risk of collapse, while search teams waited anxiously for a moment where the scene was stable enough for them to carry out rescue attempts.

Many lives have been affected by the events, Van Zanen said, mentioning those directly involved, but also area residents emotionally affected. "The impact of the disaster is difficult to comprehend, so many people have been affected," said Van Zanen.

"The whole of The Hague sympathizes with everyone who has been affected." Van Zanen also said it was good news that four suspects have been arrested. He hopes that clarity will soon be provided about the circumstances of the explosions.

The four were remanded to jail during a brief initial hearing on Friday, and will face arraignment in a district court on Dec. 24. "Let us hope that justice will prevail and those responsible will be punished."