An explosion and fire shook a neighborhood in Dutch city of The Hague early Saturday, destroying several apartments and injuring several people, police said.
The cause of the crash is unclear, but police said a car left the scene “at very high speed” shortly afterward.
It is still unclear how many people may be missing. CBS News partner BBC News reported Emergency first responders are searching for up to 20 people believed to be in the destroyed apartments. Authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital.
Phil Nijhuis / AP
Local media reported that one of those hospitalized was a child. They also reported that at least five apartments were destroyed in the explosion.
“The fire is releasing a lot of smoke in the immediate vicinity… Residents are advised to close windows and doors and turn off the ventilation,” authorities said, according to AFP.
Phil Nijhuis / AP
A line of ambulances could be seen waiting nearby in anticipation of more victims. The local hospital spokesperson said they were ready to treat the injured.
Residents of the Mariahoeve district, northeast of The Hague, heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. A woman told local media she thought an earthquake had occurred.
“I was sleeping and suddenly there was a huge explosion,” Adam Miller, 14, told AFP. “I looked out the window and saw flames. It’s a huge shock.
Phil Nijhuis / AP
Dutch authorities deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to the scene, with four dogs trained to find victims. The team was previously used during the devastating 2023 Turkey earthquake.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement that he was shocked by the images of the disaster. “My thoughts are with the victims, everyone else involved and the emergency services currently working at the scene,” he said.
The Dutch royal family has expressed similar sentiments.
“Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after this morning’s explosion and fire,” including those “who fear the fate of their loved ones,” King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima said in a press release.