Explosion hits apartment block in The Netherlands

An explosion hit a three-story apartment block in the Dutch city of The Hague on Saturday, partly toppling the building and injuring four people, according to authorities.

The cause of the explosion is not clear, but Dutch say police are seeking information on a car that sped away shortly after, and have appealed for witnesses, according the BBC.

The blast, which occurred in the city’s Tarwekamp area just three miles from the city center, destroyed several apartments and ignited a fire that led to the collapse of part of the building.

Four people have been pulled from the rubble so far and taken to a hospital, the Hague fire department said in a statement as translated by Reuters.

Authorities have deployed a specialized urban search-and-rescue team to the scene, along with sniffer dogs, which said rescuers are still searching for up to 20 others believed to have been inside at the time of the blast, adding that parts of the site remain too dangerous to access.

Dutch broadcaster NOS interviewed a neighbor who reported hearing a child calling for help as the building burned.

In a post on X, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was “shocked” by images of the disaster and offered assistance to local authorities.

The Dutch royal family said in a statement that “We sympathize with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones.”

The Dutch police are expected to provide an update later on Saturday.

The Hague is home to several major international courts, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

This is a developing story check back for more updates