An explosion has hit a three-storey house block in The Hague, police say.
Firefighters rushed to the scene to place out a hearth that prompted the collapse of a number of homes within the Tarwekamp space at round 06:15 (0515 GMT).
Rescuers are trying to find no less than 20 folks believed to have been current on the time of the explosion. So far, 4 have been pulled from the rubble.
The reason behind the explosion shouldn’t be but clear, however Dutch police stated a automotive drove away “at very excessive pace” shortly afterwards, and had been interesting for witnesses.
Dutch media reported that 5 flats had been destroyed within the explosion.
Rescue groups with drug-sniffing canine have been deployed to sift by the particles, however some elements of the positioning stay too harmful to entry.
Fourteen-year-old Adam Muller instructed the AFP information company that the explosion “felt like an earthquake”.
“I used to be sleeping and immediately there was this big bang,” he stated.
“I appeared out the window and noticed the flames. It’s an enormous shock,” he added.
The Netherlands’ nationwide police commissioner, Janny Knol, stated there was “disbelief and uncertainty” locally.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima stated in an announcement: “We stand in solidarity with all those that have been personally affected or who concern for the destiny of their family members.”
Police are anticipated to offer an replace at 3pm native time (2pm GMT).
