A sixth body has been found in the rubble at the site of an explosion in The Hague. The cause of the blast is still being investigated as emergency services continue the search for more people trapped in the rubble.
Violent explosion destroys five apartments in The Hague
It was confirmed that at 6.15am on December 7, two explosions occurred at an apartment building on Tarwekamp in the Mariahoeve district of The Hague. One of the blasts was more extreme causing a massive fire taking hours for the fire department to extinguish. Five apartments were destroyed and 19 others were damaged. A total of 40 homes have been evacuated since as the blast is investigated and emergency services search the rubble for bodies.
Early on Monday morning, another body was found bringing the death toll to six people so far. Four people were also injured in the blast, with two in serious condition. After difficulties with identification caused by the fire, four of the six victims have been identified since the tragedy on Saturday. They are a 45-year-old man, a 17-year-old girl and a 41-year-old woman from The Hague and a 31-year-old man from Voorburg.
The exact number of people who could be trapped in the rubble is unknown, but according to a spokesperson from the regional safety authority the number could amount to up to 20 people.
The Hague explosion could be criminal, says Dutch public prosecutor
A car was seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion. Since then, a burnt car has been found nearby. The police are investigating whether the two incidents are linked.
“It is not yet known what the cause is, but there are indications that it is a crime," said Margreet Fröberg from the district office of the Public Prosecution Service. The Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel made similar statements after visiting the site with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
Fundraising for victims of The Hague explosion
A fundraiser was started by a foundation to help those directly affected by the explosion. As of Monday morning, 340.000 euros has been raised.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima also visited the scene on Monday morning. “It is beyond imagination,” said the King. “You follow what is happening minute by minute, but when you see the site, the impact of the explosion on those buildings, all those people there, I am shaking as I think of it.”