A major emergency is unfolding in the historic Dutch city of Utrecht after a series of powerful explosions triggered a large-scale building collapse and a fierce fire. At least four people have been confirmed injured, with authorities fearing more victims may be buried under the rubble.
Chaos in the City Centre
The incident began around 3pm on Thursday, 15 January 2026, in the Visscherssteeg area of central Utrecht. Reports indicate multiple blasts rocked the district, leading to the partial collapse of several buildings and a fire that quickly took hold. Terrified residents and shoppers fled into nearby streets as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Footage from the area showed enormous flames erupting from the structures amid further explosions, with a vast plume of smoke blanketing the city centre. Debris was scattered across the streets, creating a scene of devastation.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Instability
Firefighters have been unable to enter the unstable buildings due to significant structural damage and emerging cracks. The blaze is being fought from the outside, with drones deployed to assist the operation. A spokesman for the emergency services, Sjaak Haasnoot, confirmed the dangerous conditions, stating, "The fire department cannot enter the building because it is still unstable."
It is expected that fire crews will be working throughout the night to extinguish the flames. A specialised emergency response team from Alphen aan den Rijn has been called in to help search for any potential victims within the precarious ruins.
Uncertainty Over Casualties and Cause
The four known injured individuals were taken to waiting ambulances, but the severity of their conditions is not yet known. The primary concern remains the possibility of people trapped beneath the wreckage. "It is very difficult at the moment to say how many victims are under the rubble," Haasnoot admitted.
The Utrecht Safety Region reported that heavy smoke is causing limited visibility, further hampering rescue efforts. Gas supplies to the affected area have been shut off as teams assess each section of the damaged buildings separately to determine if safe entry is possible.
Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma told reporters that police are investigating the incident, with the cause of the initial explosions still unknown. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area entirely.
Witness Margot Schroevers described the moment of the blasts to Dutch broadcaster NOS, saying, "I knew right away that this was bad. The ground was shaking." The emergency services statement confirmed "extensive damage" in the surrounding area.
