Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the powerful explosion that caused a fire and led to the collapse of an apartment building in The Hague, resulting in at least six deaths, Dutch police announced today.
A criminal investigation has been launched to determine the cause of Saturday’s explosion, which not only destroyed the apartment building but also damaged several nearby structures in the suburban residential area of The Hague.
Let us light a candle for the people and animals impacted by the devastating explosion in The Hague. Our hearts go out to everyone affected—wishing you strength and comfort during this unimaginable time. ?#TheHague#Tarwekamp
— Ai Finance News (@AiFinancenews) December 7, 2024
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Authorities also reported seizing multiple vehicles, hinting at the possibility of additional arrests. Witnesses had reported a car speeding away from the scene following the explosion.
While the cause of the explosion remains unknown, the public prosecutor stated on Sunday that there are indications—though unspecified—that suggest the incident may have been a criminal act.
The gas network company Stedin told Dutch news agency ANP today that there is no evidence the explosion was caused by a gas leak.
Part of an apartment building collapsed after an explosion and fire in a residential neighborhood of the Dutch city of The Hague, the local fire department said https://t.co/cBuVOVIYNg pic.twitter.com/HPnjuWROdH
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 7, 2024
Rescuers have recovered six bodies from the building’s rubble. Four individuals remain hospitalized, two of them in serious condition. Among the victims were three members of the same family: a 45-year-old man, a 41-year-old woman, and their 17-year-old daughter. The sole survivor from this family is an 8-year-old boy. The other three victims were men aged 31, 44, and 63.
Nearly €600,000 has been raised to assist the victims of the explosion.
Search and rescue efforts concluded late last night after the sixth body was discovered in the debris.
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