Explosions rock Utrecht, with buildings broken and a number of individuals feared to be injured
Explosions in the Dutch city of Utrecht have caused extensive damage to buildings, and it is feared that several people have been left injured.
A major fire has since broken out following the blasts on Visscherssteeg in the city centre at around 3.30pm, prompting an emergency response from the local fire and ambulance services.
Surrounding buildings have been left destroyed, with smashed windows and debris scattered on the streets.
There was a ‘gigantic explosion’, local agency ANP cited a spokesperson for the local fire brigade as saying.
‘I live on the other side of the center and even here the windows were shaking from an explosion,’ one resident wrote on X following the blast.
Images from the scene show large plumes of smoke billowing above the area.
Two trauma helicopters landed in nearby Lepelenburg Park while a police helicopter continues to circle the area.
Rescuers also evacuated homes and businesses on Mariaplaats and Springweg.
Images from the scene show large plumes of smoke billowing above the area.
Surrounding buildings have been left destroyed, with smashed windows and debris scattered on the streets
Images from the scene show large plumes of smoke billowing above the area
Police are expecting more explosions, an officer told a reporter at the scene, according to the Algemeen Dagblad (AD) newspaper.
‘Nothing can be said yet about the cause of the explosions,’ a police spokesperson said.
Residents are being urged not to approach the area as investigations into what caused the explosions are carried out.
‘Numerous units have been called in to assist. Everyone is therefore asked to give emergency responders space and not to approach the incident area,’ the emergency services office stated.
According to AD, around six ambulances are at the scene.
UMC Utrecht has activated its Calamity Hospital, which can rapidly accommodate a large number of casualties.
The facility is purpose-built to scale up to full operational capacity within half an hour during disasters or other large-scale emergencies.
Debris at the scene
Firefighters work to extinguish a large fire at a residential house in Visscherssteeg, Utrecht
Residents are being urged not to approach the area
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
