At least four individuals have sustained injuries, with concerns that additional individuals may be trapped under debris following a significant explosion that caused multiple buildings to collapse.
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene in the heart of Utrecht, Netherlands, after receiving reports of a series of explosions that ignited a fire around 3 p.m. Residents sought refuge in nearby shopping areas as firefighters worked to contain the flames on Visscherssteeg street.
Videos captured massive flames engulfing the buildings amid explosions, while a thick plume of smoke blanketed the city center and debris scattered across the streets.
Due to structural damage resulting from the explosions, the buildings became unstable, exhibiting cracks that prevented firefighters from entering. As a result, the blaze was being extinguished externally, with the aid of drones. It is anticipated that firefighting efforts will continue into the night.
A specialized emergency team from Alphen aan den Rijn has been dispatched to assist in searching for potential additional victims within the partially collapsed structures.
Sjaak Haasnoot, a spokesperson for emergency services, reported that four injured individuals were transported to awaiting ambulances, with the possibility of more individuals being trapped beneath the rubble. The severity of the injuries sustained by the four known victims remains unknown.
Haasnoot expressed the challenges in assessing the number of individuals trapped, stating, “It is very difficult at the moment to say how many victims are under the rubble. The fire department cannot enter the building because it is still unstable.”
Authorities have advised the public to steer clear of the area. An official statement from emergency services highlighted ongoing investigations into the safe search of the collapsed and damaged structures to ascertain if anyone remains inside, noting extensive damage in the vicinity.
Eyewitness Margot Schroevers, who felt the explosions, described the situation as dire, stating, “I knew right away that this was bad. The ground was shaking.”
The Utrecht Safety Region reported heavy smoke causing “limited visibility,” impeding emergency operations. They emphasized the fire department’s focus on searching for individuals within the affected buildings in safe conditions.
Each section of the buildings is being individually evaluated to determine the feasibility of emergency responders entering, with gas being shut off in the impacted zone. Mayor Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht informed reporters that the police were investigating the incident, with the cause of the explosion yet to be determined.