The police in The Hague announced on Tuesday that they have taken three individuals into custody in connection with a major explosion that occurred over the weekend, resulting in the tragic death of at least six people. The incident unfolded at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday, as a powerful blast and subsequent fire destroyed part of a three-story apartment complex. Fire officials reported that four people sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital, while one individual received treatment at the scene.
Mayor Jan van Zanen condemned the event, labeling it an "unprecedented disaster" during his public statements. In a grim update, rescue workers recovered a sixth victim’s body from the debris on Monday morning, concluding their search operations.
Authorities are still piecing together the details surrounding the explosion. Several vehicles have been confiscated as part of the investigation, but the exact cause of the blast remains unclear. The three detained suspects face strict communication restrictions, having been denied contact with anyone outside of their legal counsel. Police indicated that further arrests may occur as investigations continue.
After the explosion, law enforcement actively pursued a vehicle that was seen fleeing the scene, although it is yet to be determined if it is among those seized by the police. While smaller explosions linked to drug trafficking and extortion are not unusual in major Dutch cities, this incident significantly exceeds the scale of previous occurrences.
Statistics reveal a troubling rise in explosions across the Netherlands, with 1,017 incidents reported in the previous year—far surpassing the 212 recorded in 2021. The Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, expressed his shock at the devastation during a visit to the site, noting, "This is beyond imagination."
