From the start of the incident, the police have focused on support and assistance in and around the affected area. The police ensured that emergency services could perform their duties. This means we provide space to aid organizations wherever possible.
For more information about the incident, see the live blog of the Municipality of Utrecht here.
Investigation
The police have started an investigation into the cause. Currently, there are no indications of a criminal offense; further investigation will clarify this. Last night, the USAR searched the rubble with the help of sniffer dogs. No victims were found. The investigation is expected to take some time. In total, four people were injured.
The crime scene is guarded by the police to ensure safety for residents and entrepreneurs in the area. Since last night, we have been contacting residents and entrepreneurs to identify those affected by the situation. The area remains cordoned off today and will be partially released as soon as safety and the ongoing investigation allow. During the day, the police will place a mobile unit from which staff can perform their duties.
Impact
The impact is enormous. We understand that victims may need to talk to victim support. The public gave all emergency workers space on the street. We are very grateful for that. Emergency workers could perform their duties without obstruction.
Witnesses or footage
We would like to speak with witnesses who saw the explosion and/or the fire. We also welcome footage of the explosion, as it can help our investigation. Please contact us via 0900-8844 or upload your footage using the contact form below.