By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (Worthy News) – At least five people died, and four others were injured in explosions rocking a block of flats in the Dutch city of The Hague, and local authorities did not rule out a deliberate attack.
Firefighters and special rescue teams with dogs rushed to the burning three-story building in the Tarwekamp area following the blasts that caused the collapse of several homes.
Amid a frantic search for survivors, Dutch police said a car drove away “at very high speed” shortly after the explosions and appealed for witnesses.
The Hague’s Mayor, Jan van Zanen, said the number of people still missing is unknown.
Van Zanen, who visited the scene, said the chance of survivors being pulled from the rubble was slim and urged residents to prepare for a “worst-case scenario.”
It was thought up to 20 people may have been in the flats at the time of the blast, but the mayor refused to confirm those figures.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima expressed their sorrow in a statement: “We sympathize with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones.”
PULLING BODIES
The Dutch fire service said five bodies had been pulled from the rubble. Four others were hospitalized – one of whom had since died, it said.
It added that another person was treated by the ambulance service before being taken to a shelter, bringing the total number of victims to 10.
Witnesses said at least five flats were destroyed in the explosion.
Survivors appeared in shock at what they saw. Fourteen-year-old Adam Muller said the explosion “felt like an earthquake.”
“I was asleep, and suddenly, there were these huge bangs. I looked out of the window and just saw flames. It’s a massive shock,” he added.
The national police commissioner in the Netherlands, Janny Knol, shared those sentiments: “There is disbelief and uncertainty in the community.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
More Worthy News
Several European countries were on high alert Wednesday as Lithuania’s president and prime minister were rushed to underground bunkers and residents of the capital, Vilnius, urged to take shelter during a warning issued after a drone violated the country’s airspace. The turbulence came after Russia warned it could attack Baltic countries despite being part of the NATO military alliance, while Britain reported Russian Air Force activity dangerously close to its spy plane.
The U.S. special envoy to Greenland suggested Wednesday that Washington could still seek greater control over the Arctic island, saying it was time for the United States “to put its footprint back” on Greenland.
In an unprecedented move for an American leader, U.S. President Donald J. Trump said Wednesday he plans to speak with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, after China’s and Russia’s leaders condemned Washington’s “irresponsible” foreign policy.
Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar and his governing Tisza party have submitted their first constitutional amendment to parliament in a move that would prevent longtime premier Viktor Orbán from ever returning to power.
Russia threatened to attack Baltic nations if they assist Ukraine in launching drones into Russian territory, despite their membership in the Western NATO military alliance.
An Israeli Christian leader is urging the government to formally recognize Christians as a distinct community with stronger political representation, citing what church leaders and advocacy groups describe as growing harassment and discrimination against Christians in Israel.
Israel moved closer to early elections Wednesday after a bill to dissolve the 25th Knesset passed its preliminary reading with overwhelming support, exposing the deepening fractures inside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.