An explosion and fire shook a neighborhood in The Hague, Netherlands, in the early hours of Saturday, causing significant damage to several apartments and injuring multiple individuals, as confirmed by local authorities.
The exact cause of the incident remains unclear at this time, with police actively searching for a car that was reportedly seen leaving the scene. Emergency responders have managed to rescue four people from the debris, all of whom have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. However, the total number of individuals who may still be trapped under the rubble is currently unknown. Reports from local media indicate that among the injured is a child.
Following the explosion, a fleet of ambulances was stationed nearby in anticipation of additional casualties. The local hospital has also been placed on high alert to accommodate any further injuries that may arise from the incident.
Residents of the Mariahoeve neighborhood in northeastern The Hague were startled awake by a loud bang and cries for help in the early morning hours. One witness likened the experience to an earthquake, reflecting the intensity of the blast.
In response to the emergency, Dutch authorities have dispatched a specialized urban search and rescue team equipped with four trained dogs to assist in locating any potential victims trapped in the wreckage. This team had previously been involved in rescue operations during the devastating earthquake in Turkey back in 2023.
Expressing his shock at the unfolding events, Prime Minister Dick Schoof issued a statement extending his sympathies to the victims, their families, and the emergency personnel tirelessly working at the scene. Similarly, the Dutch royal family, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, conveyed their thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by the explosion and fire in The Hague, particularly those anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones.
