Dutch authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with a horrific explosion that rocked an apartment complex in The Hague, killing six people and leaving the community in shock.
The blast, which occurred at 06:15 local time (05:15 GMT) on Saturday, destroyed five houses in the Tarwekamp area of the city.
Police are exploring “all avenues” that could have led to the incident, and arrests suggest there may have been a criminal motive.
The suspects are being held in limited custody, allowed to communicate only with their lawyers, and are expected to appear in court later this week.
“The possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out,” officials stated.
On Saturday night, we met locals trudging in the rain between fire engines and police cars.
The quiet neighborhood has been rocked by the deaths of six people and uncertainty surrounding the nature and possible reasons behind the explosion.
Among the victims were three members of the same family – a 45-year-old father, his 41-year-old partner and their 17-year-old daughter. Their 8-year-old son miraculously survived.
Three other men – aged 31, 44 and 63 – were also killed. Among them is a construction engineer from Greece who is said to “love the Netherlands”.
Four other people were rescued from the rubble of their former home.
Several vehicles were seized – although it’s unclear if any were the car was seen speeding away from the scene immediately after the explosion.
Police have received dozens of tips and are appealing for more witnesses and images from pet cameras or dash cams.
Forensic teams are ready to continue the investigation once the crime scene is deemed safe.
The impact of the explosion went beyond the immediate casualties.
Four people were hospitalized, including two who were sleeping in the basement of a bar at the time and were treated for smoke inhalation.
A bridal shop next to the bar was completely destroyed, while the liquor warehouse of another bar on the ground floor remained intact. An artist’s studio was also completely destroyed.
Many residents were evacuated and remained in shelters while structural damage was assessed.
