Emergency service workers worked through the night in their search for people killed in the explosion at an apartment complex in The Hague on Saturday without success and it remains unclear how many people are still missing.

Late on Saturday evening they pulled a fifth body from the rubble at the complex which was partly destroyed by explosions in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Earlier in the evening rescuers found one person still alive who was rushed to hospital. Three other people were hospitalised early in the morning. Officials have not given an update on their condition.

The Hague mayor Jan van Zanen told a press conference in the afternoon it is “extremely unlikely” anyone else would be found alive. “We are assuming the worst,” he said. Earlier the Telegraaf reported up to 20 people could be missing.

The explosions – what appeared to be two small and one large blast – took place on the Tarwekamp in The Hague’s Mariahoeve district, a mixed neighbourhood of post WWII housing east of the city centre. The blasts and the subsequent fire at around 6.15 am, caused the collapse of five apartments close to the corner of the L-shaped block.

Some 50 people affected by the blast attended a closed meeting on Saturday evening, alongside the mayor. “It was an emotional evening, because friends and family are still missing,” Van Zanen said. “There is so much uncertainty.”

One eyewitness told reporters she had been woken by the explosion. “I went outside and I saw half the building had gone,” she said. “I heard a child screaming for help. I wanted to help but everything was buried under rubble. I was powerless.”

The mayor declined to speculate on the cause of the blast. “We are looking at all possible causes,” he said.

Doorbell footage seems to indicate there were two small and one larger explosion ahead of the fire at around 6.15 am on Saturday.

Hier de explosies in geluid van onze voordeur camera.
Eerst twee zachtere knallen en daarna de grote.#tarwekamp #explosies #Mariahoeve pic.twitter.com/FmgUXmBmVj

— Sabberdijosia (@SabberDiJosia) December 7, 2024

Police have called for anyone who saw a car speeding away from the scene of the explosion to come forward, and have also appealed for video footage. A burnt-out car close to the site of the blast and was taken away for investigation.

The investigation into the cause of the explosions and the ensuing fire has now begun and forensic experts have been at the scene to recover evidence.

“It will be a long operation and will go on overnight,” Van Zanen said. “It began as a rescue mission and is now a recovery effort.”