According to authorities, a three-story apartment tower in the Dutch city of The Hague was partially destroyed by an explosion on Saturday, and four people were injured.
The BBC reports that although the origin of the explosion is unknown, Dutch police are looking for information about a car that fled shortly after and have called for witnesses.
Only three miles outside the city center, in the Tarwekamp neighborhood, the explosion destroyed multiple flats and started a fire that caused a portion of the structure to collapse.
According to a statement from the Hague fire department, which Reuters translated, four people have been retrieved from the debris and transported to a hospital thus far.
Along with sniffer dogs, authorities have sent a specialized urban search and rescue team to the location. Rescuers said they are still looking for up to 20 more people who may have been inside when the explosion occurred, but that some areas of the site are still too risky to enter.
A neighbor who heard a child pleading for assistance while the building burnt was interviewed by Dutch TV NOS.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof posted on X that he was “shocked” by the disaster’s pictures and that he would help the local authorities.
“We sympathize with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones,” the Dutch royal family stated in a statement.
An update from the Dutch police is anticipated later on Saturday.
The International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice are two of the most important international courts located in The Hague.
This is a tale that is evolving. Return soon for additional updates.
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