'Gigantic explosion' and fire injure four in Utrecht, Netherlands

At least four people have been injured following a massive explosion and subsequent fire at a residential building in central Utrecht, Netherlands. Emergency services are searching for possible trapped individuals as the cause remains unknown.
'Gigantic explosion' and fire injure four in Utrecht, Netherlands
A severe explosion and large fire rocked the city center of Utrecht in the Netherlands on Thursday afternoon, injuring at least four people and causing extensive damage. Authorities described the blast as "gigantic" and have cordoned off the area as investigations into its cause begin.
Emergency response and ongoing firefighting
Emergency services responded to multiple reports of explosions around 3:30 p.m. local time (1430 GMT). The initial blast occurred at a residential building, and the fire later spread to a neighboring bakery by 5:00 p.m. Firefighters continue to battle the flames while rescue teams focus on "checking whether people are trapped under the rubble," according to Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma.
Evacuations and witness accounts
Approximately 50 residents from the affected area have been evacuated and are being sheltered in a nearby hotel. Authorities warned it could be a considerable time before they are allowed to return home. An eyewitness working in a nearby parking garage described a "very loud bang" that caused the structure to shake violently, followed by a chaotic scene with injured people, damaged building facades, and shattered windows.
Deployment of special resources
Due to the scale of the incident, a temporary emergency hospital, typically reserved for mass-casualty events, has been set up in Utrecht's city center. The extent of damage to surrounding buildings is still being assessed. For nations like Türkiye, with significant diaspora communities across Europe, such incidents prompt immediate checks on the welfare of citizens abroad and highlight the universal challenge of responding to sudden urban disasters.
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