The blast occurred round 6.15am (native time), firefighters mentioned, inflicting the three-story condo constructing to partially collapse and set on hearth.
5 completely different residences have been affected by the explosion, they mentioned.
Police are interesting for witnesses who might have seen a automobile driving away from the scene at a really excessive velocity shortly after the incident.
Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague, mentioned at a Saturday information convention {that a} physique had been found within the rubble, and that the seek for victims was ongoing.
Shortly after that, police confirmed that one other two our bodies had been recovered from the location.
Although the search started as a rescue operation, van Zanen mentioned, by Saturday afternoon, it had was a restoration mission as an alternative.
It isn’t identified how many individuals are nonetheless below the rubble, he mentioned, however “the truth is that the probabilities of survival for them are slim.”
“We’re contemplating the worst-case state of affairs,” the mayor mentioned.
The Dutch City Search and Rescue service despatched a rescue group to the scene on Saturday morning, together with 4 canine handlers and a structural engineer.
By 11.30am native time, the fireplace was almost out and rescue canine have been looking for attainable victims, firefighters mentioned.
The canine couldn’t search the constructing for lengthy, nonetheless, as a result of there was a threat that it may totally collapse, based on Dutch public broadcaster NOS.
Some 40 properties have been evacuated, it reported.
One man instructed the broadcaster that his first thought upon seeing the aftermath of the explosion was that it was resulting from a rocket assault.
He heard a baby calling for assist from the rubble, he mentioned, however was unable to achieve them when individuals pulled him again from the fireplace.
Forensic officers have been additionally on the scene accumulating proof, the broadcaster mentioned.
The Dutch king and queen mentioned in a press release that their ideas have been with these affected by the incident.
