Three people killed and others feared dead following explosion in The Hague

Three people have been killed after an explosion at an apartment block and others are missing or injured.

The explosion, described like an earthquake by one resident, happened in The Hague in The Netherlands.

People in the area reported hearing a bang and then screams while the explosion happened.

Authorities say they are looking for dead bodies instead of missing people now and they fear the worst.

So far four people have been rescued alive but the city’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, says it is unknown how many more people might be missing.

An investigation into what happened is underway but authorities say they are searching for a car that left the scene.

A spokesperson for the hospital where those injured have been taken said it is on stand-by to deal with injuries.

The mayor called it ‘an extremely heavy day’.

‘I had expected a different Saturday,’ Mr van Zanen told a news conference.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he was shocked by the images of the disaster.

‘My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved and the emergency services who are now working on the scene,’ he said.

The Dutch royal family expressed similar sentiments.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said: ‘Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning, including those who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones.’

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