At least four individuals have sustained injuries, with concerns arising that additional individuals could be trapped in 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 pm. As the incident unfolded, people sought refuge in nearby shopping areas while fire crews endeavored to suppress the flames in Visscherssteeg.
Videos captured massive flames engulfing structures on the street amid explosive sounds, with a thick plume of smoke blanketing the city center and debris strewn across the streets.
Due to structural damage from the explosions, buildings became precarious, displaying cracks that hindered firefighters from entering. Consequently, the blaze was being extinguished externally, assisted by drones. It is anticipated that firefighting efforts will continue throughout the night.
A specialized emergency team from Alphen aan den Rijn has been dispatched to assist in searching for potential victims within the partially collapsed buildings.
Sjaak Haasnoot, a spokesperson for emergency services, confirmed that four injured individuals were transported to awaiting ambulances, with the possibility of others being trapped under rubble. The severity of the injuries sustained by the four individuals remains unknown.
Haasnoot expressed the challenges in assessing the number of victims beneath the debris, emphasizing the precarious nature of the building that impedes entry by firefighters.
Authorities have advised the public to steer clear of the area as investigations continue to determine the safety of conducting searches in the collapsed and damaged structures. Extensive damage has been reported in the vicinity.
Witness Margot Schroevers described feeling the tremors from the explosions, indicating the severity of the situation. The Utrecht Safety Region highlighted the presence of heavy smoke causing limited visibility, complicating emergency response efforts focused on locating individuals in the affected buildings.
Each section of the buildings is being evaluated independently to ascertain the feasibility of emergency personnel entering safely, with gas being shut off in the impacted zone. Police are probing the incident, with Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma informing the media that the cause of the explosion remains unidentified.