Three people died in an apartment explosion in the Netherlands.

Tragedy struck the city of The Hague, Netherlands on Saturday when an explosion ripped through an apartment building, claiming the lives of three people and injuring three others. According to authorities, the blast occurred at around 6:15am, causing a partial collapse of the three-story building and setting it ablaze. Firefighters rushed to the scene, but the damage had already been done.

The explosion affected five different apartments, leaving behind a scene of chaos and destruction. The authorities are now calling for witnesses who may have seen a car speeding away from the area shortly after the incident. The mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, held a press conference later that day to address the situation. He sadly announced that a body had been discovered in the rubble and that the search for other victims was still ongoing.

As the day progressed, two more bodies were found amidst the wreckage, turning the rescue operation into a recovery mission. Van Zanen expressed the grim reality that the chances of finding more survivors were slim. The Dutch Urban Search and Rescue service was called in to assist in the search efforts, with a team of four dog handlers and a structural engineer arriving at the scene. By 11:30am, the fire had been mostly contained, and the rescue dogs were able to start their work.

Unfortunately, their efforts were cut short due to the danger of the building collapsing. About 40 homes in the surrounding area were evacuated as a precaution, and the search for survivors continued. One witness described his initial shock, thinking the explosion was a rocket attack. He also heard a child's cry for help but was unable to reach them due to the intense flames and smoke.

Forensic officers were also present at the scene, gathering evidence to determine the cause of the explosion. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed his shock and offered his support to the mayor of The Hague. The Dutch king and queen also released a statement, sending their thoughts and prayers to those affected by the tragedy.

As authorities continue their investigation, the community is left in shock and mourning for the lives lost in this tragic event. The 9NEWS app has been providing updates on the situation, keeping the public informed on the latest developments. Our hearts go out to all those affected, and we hope for a swift and thorough recovery effort.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]