At least four people were injured after an explosion rocked a residential street in the centre of the Dutch city of Utrecht on Thursday, according to emergency services.
The cause of the blast was not immediately known. The explosion sparked a fire and caused extensive damage to nearby homes, forcing people to flee into surrounding shopping streets.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and battled the blaze but were initially unable to enter the damaged buildings due to concerns over structural stability.
Emergency services spokesman Sjaak Haasnoot said the four injured were taken to hospital, though the severity of their injuries was not yet confirmed. He added that it remained unclear whether anyone had been killed.
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“At this moment, it is very difficult to say how many people may be trapped under the rubble,” Haasnoot said, noting that firefighters could not yet enter the unstable building.
Rescue teams were working to determine how they could safely search through the debris to check for possible victims. Residents whose homes were damaged were being temporarily accommodated in a nearby hotel.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma told reporters.
“This explosion has had a huge impact on the heart of our city. Everyone is deeply shocked, especially those living in the immediate area,” she said.