A quiet Saturday morning in The Hague turned tragic when an explosion tore through a three-story building, killing at least five people and injuring several others.
The cause of the blast is under investigation, but authorities suspect foul play, according to Digi24.
Prosecutor Margreet Froberg confirmed Sunday that the explosion may have been criminal in nature.
While declining to share specific details, she stated that there are “indications” suggesting the incident was intentional. Investigators are following multiple leads to uncover what happened.
40 Residents Evacuated
The blast caused the building to collapse entirely, leaving a scene of devastation. Rescue workers have recovered five bodies and pulled one person alive from the rubble.
Four others have been hospitalized with injuries. Locals say the building was home to elderly residents and families with children.
The severity of the fire that followed the explosion has made identifying the victims difficult. DNA testing is being used, adding to the uncertainty about the number of people still unaccounted for.
Witnesses reported seeing a car speeding away from the area shortly after the explosion at 6:15 a.m. local time. Police are eager to locate the vehicle and its driver.
Karin Krukkert, the police chief in The Hague, noted that while the connection between the car and the incident is unclear, speaking to the driver could provide crucial answers.
The building housed five duplex apartments above ground-floor shops. Surrounding buildings were also damaged, forcing the evacuation of 40 nearby residents.
As the rescue operation continues, specialized teams are searching the building’s basement, holding onto the hope of finding more survivors.
Mayor Jan van Zanen called the event “an unprecedented disaster” and spoke of the profound loss felt by the community. He praised the efforts of rescue workers, who are sifting through the debris despite the complexity of the task.
