WorthyNews: Dutch King Shaking As Blasts Hit The Hague, Killing 6

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

THE HAGUE (Worthy News) – King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is “in shock” after explosions destroyed apartments, killing six people in The Hague, the world’s judicial capital and seat of the Dutch government and parliament.

“My legs are shaking,” the King said after a visit to the partly destroyed three-story apartment building in the Tarwekamp area of The Hague’s Mariahoeve district.

He and his wife, Queen Máxima, visited the site where two blasts killed six people, including several family members.

The royal couple later stopped at the Lichtpuntjes family center nearby. “The humanity after such a disaster gives an incredible amount of strength,” the king said after meeting emergency responders and affected residents.

He praised the efforts of the rescue workers, firefighters, and residents, adding that the consequences of the explosion “defied all imagination.”

The explosions occurred in quick succession early on Saturday morning, destroying five apartments.

The cause of the explosions remained unknown Monday, but prosecutors suggested it was a deliberate attack, and police were appealing for witnesses.

ENDING SEARCH

Emergency authorities officially concluded their search for victims on Monday at the site as the final death toll rose to six, with the last victim found in the building’s basement on Sunday.

City Mayor Jan Van Zanen said it was the worst tragedy in recent years and that he was shocked by what he saw.

Three of the six victims of the devastating explosion on the Tarwekamp come from one family, including a 45-year-old father, a 41-year-old mother, and a 17-year-old daughter, relatives said.

The 8-year-old son from the family “was the only one to survive the explosion and is being cared for by family,” the family statement said.

“The grief over the loss of the family members is great. At the same time, caring for the young son from the family requires their love and attention”, said spokesperson Bart Visser.

He said the family “would like to thank all emergency services for their great efforts during this disaster. The sympathy at the children’s schools also does them good in these dark days.”

The family requested that “unnecessary details, names and/or photos of their deceased family members not be shared or published for privacy reasons.”

MORE DEATHS

In addition to the three victims, three other deceased people were pulled from the rubble. They are a 31-year-old man from Voorburg and two men aged 44 and 63 from The Hague.

“Family investigators have informed their loved ones. We wish them much strength,” police said on Monday evening without providing more details.

Four people were also injured. “Two are in serious condition,” Mayor Van Zanen announced, adding that they are being treated in various hospitals in the country.

Mayor Van Zanen issued an emergency order until Friday, giving police and authorities more capabilities to maintain order in the area. Flags at The Hague’s municipality buildings have been lowered to half-mast in commemoration of the victims.

One of the survivors, the owner of a pub in the destroyed building, wrote from the hospital via his Facebook website page: “Dear family and friends, thanks for your visit; I am still alive.”

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