A pair of explosions Saturday in The Hague, Netherlands, caused the partial collapse of a three-story apartment building, a fire, one death and multiple injuries.
At least five multilevel apartments were affected, with three people rescued and hospitalized and one unnamed person found dead, officials in The Hague said on its website. The fire was extinguished.
“The extent of the destruction caused by the explosions and subsequent fire defies description. … It is not known how many people are still under the rubble, but the reality is that there is only a small chance of survival for them. We are taking into account the worst scenario,” Mayor Jan van Zanen said at a press conference, according to The Hague-based broadcaster Omroep West.
Mr. van Zanen explained that a smaller explosion at the start was followed by a larger blast.
“I was asleep and suddenly there was this huge bang. I looked out of the window and just saw flames. It’s a massive shock,” local resident Adam Muller, 14, told Agence France-Presse.
The Dutch national police are investigating the incident and requesting information and camera footage after a car was spotted speeding from the scene after the explosion at 6:15 a.m. local time.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.