Tragedy in The Hague: fifth death confirmed in apartment building explosion

Rescue operations continue while investigations focus on a possible gas leak. Police appeal: ‘Anyone who saw anything before the explosion should come forward’

The death toll of the explosion that destroyed an apartment building in The Hague is getting worse: a fifth body was pulled out of the rubble in the night, bringing the total number of people involved to ten. Of these, four are in hospital, two in serious condition. One of the rescued people was rescued after 12 hours under the debris.

Rescuers have been searching for two days for any missing people, but hopes of finding survivors are fading. ‘We are preparing for the worst possible scenario,’ said Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague.

The Dutch authorities are investigating the causes of the accident, with the hypothesis of a gas leak among the most credible. The police have launched an appeal for witnesses, particularly in relation to a car seen driving away quickly from the area of the explosion at around 6.15am yesterday, when the tragedy occurred.

The building housed shops on the ground floor and five flats on two upper levels, mostly inhabited by families with children and elderly people.

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(Photo: © AdnKronos)