At least four individuals have sustained injuries, and concerns are raised regarding potential entrapment in the debris following a significant explosion that caused multiple buildings to collapse.
The occurrence unfolded in the heart of Utrecht, Netherlands, prompting swift responses from emergency services after numerous explosions resulted in a fire outbreak around 3 pm today. As the flames engulfed Visscherssteeg, people sought refuge in nearby shopping areas while firefighters endeavored to contain the inferno.
Videos captured massive flames bursting from buildings amidst explosions, with a dense plume of smoke enveloping the city center and rubble strewn across the streets. Due to structural impairments from the blasts, the buildings became precarious, exhibiting cracks that prevented firefighters from entering. Consequently, the blaze is being subdued externally, aided by drones, as authorities anticipate the firefighting efforts to continue into the night.
A specialized rescue team from Alphen aan den Rijn has been dispatched to assist in the search for potential victims within the partially collapsed structures.
Sjaak Haasnoot, a spokesperson for the emergency services, reported that four injured individuals were evacuated to awaiting ambulances, with concerns lingering about additional individuals possibly trapped beneath the wreckage. The severity of the injuries sustained by the four individuals remains undisclosed.
Haasnoot expressed the challenges in determining the exact number of victims under the rubble, emphasizing the unstable nature of the building preventing the fire department’s entry.
Authorities have advised the public to steer clear of the affected area while emphasizing ongoing efforts to safely search the collapsed and damaged structures for any remaining individuals. Margot Schroevers, an eyewitness to the explosions, described the harrowing experience of feeling the ground tremble during the incident.
The Utrecht Safety Region highlighted the obstacle of heavy smoke causing limited visibility, hindering emergency operations. Efforts are focused on meticulously assessing each section of the buildings to ascertain the safety for responders to enter, with gas supply shut off in the affected zones. Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma revealed that the police are investigating the incident, as the cause of the explosion remains unidentified.