The death toll from the explosion and subsequent fire that caused the collapse of a residential building in The Hague has risen to six, including a teenage girl, Dutch authorities announced.
Rescuers recovered another body from the rubble early this morning, and they fear more victims may still be found following the explosion that occurred early Saturday morning.
“At approximately 2:30 AM, a sixth body was discovered and recovered,” the fire department stated.
Police have identified four of the victims: two men aged 45 and 31, a woman aged 41, and a 17-year-old girl.
Victims and search efforts
Four people remain hospitalised, two of whom are in serious condition. Authorities are uncertain how many people were inside the building at the time of the explosion, making it difficult to determine how many bodies may still be under the debris.
The fire was so intense that victim identification is only possible through DNA analysis, further complicating the process.
Investigation and potential criminal link
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but the public prosecutor stated on Sunday that there are indications—though unspecified—that it may have been a criminal act.
Police are particularly interested in speaking with the driver of a vehicle that was seen speeding away from the scene at 6:15 AM on Saturday.
Authorities clarified that a thorough investigation into the cause can only begin after the search for additional victims in the rubble is complete.
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Source: ANA-MPA-AFP
