The police in The Hague reported on Tuesday that they made three arrests in connection with a catastrophic explosion that occurred on Saturday morning, killing at least six residents and injuring several others at an apartment building. The explosion took place at around 6:15 AM, resulting in a fire that partially collapsed a three-story structure. Mayor Jan van Zanen referred to the incident as "an unprecedented disaster." Emergency services confirmed that divers have since recovered a sixth body from the debris, concluding their searches shortly after.
Despite the severity of the incident, many details remain unclear, with investigations ongoing. Authorities confiscated multiple vehicles in the vicinity, but the cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Police have reported that the three detainees are restricted from communicating with anyone except their legal counsel, and emphasized that further arrests may occur as the inquiry develops.
Following the explosion, police sought information on a vehicle seen fleeing from the site; it remains uncertain if this vehicle is among those seized by the authorities. While smaller explosions related to drug trafficking and extortion have become increasingly common in various Dutch cities, Saturday's blast was notably more severe. Last year alone, the Netherlands recorded a staggering 1,017 explosions, up from just 212 in 2021, primarily concentrated in urban areas.
Reacting to the disaster, Dutch King Willem-Alexander visited the explosion site and expressed his shock: “This is beyond imagination,” he remarked to news reporters present at the scene.
Despite the severity of the incident, many details remain unclear, with investigations ongoing. Authorities confiscated multiple vehicles in the vicinity, but the cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Police have reported that the three detainees are restricted from communicating with anyone except their legal counsel, and emphasized that further arrests may occur as the inquiry develops.
Following the explosion, police sought information on a vehicle seen fleeing from the site; it remains uncertain if this vehicle is among those seized by the authorities. While smaller explosions related to drug trafficking and extortion have become increasingly common in various Dutch cities, Saturday's blast was notably more severe. Last year alone, the Netherlands recorded a staggering 1,017 explosions, up from just 212 in 2021, primarily concentrated in urban areas.
Reacting to the disaster, Dutch King Willem-Alexander visited the explosion site and expressed his shock: “This is beyond imagination,” he remarked to news reporters present at the scene.
