An explosion in a residential building that occurred on Thursday in the Belgian city of Hoboken, near Antwerp, caused four deaths, including two Spaniards: a resident of Ceuta, Mina, and her 10-year-old daughter, Houda, according to police. authorities of the … town where the incident occurred. The investigations are open, but the hypothesis is being considered that a gas leak is the cause of the collapse of part of the house.
Local media, including www.nieuwsblad, claim that there are at least six injured, including two seriously. The deceased so far located are a 44-year-old man, the 10-year-old girl and her 42-year-old mother, as well as a fourth victim, a 53-year-old man. Of those affected, two are still in intensive care in a hospital. .
According to the news portal HLN.be, this Friday, shortly before 8:00 p.m., members of the rescue team found the body of little Houda among the rubble after hours of searching. “The ten-year-old girl had recently moved to Belgium with her mother,” the same outlet notes.
The investigators’ first hypotheses suggest that the cause of the incident was a gas leak.
Houda and Mina lived for a time in Ceuta. The minor, with Down syndrome, was a student at the San Antonio Special Education School, in the autonomous Spanish city. The president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas (PP), conveyed her regret and condolences to family and friends of the deceased.
From the Down Syndrome Association of Ceuta they pointed out that both “were very loved by both the users and the professionals” of the center and they greatly regret this irreparable loss.
Rescue operation continues
The rescue team continues the search for a possible fifth victim. “We will continue until we are 100% sure that no one is left under the rubble,” said Kim Bastiaens, Antwerp police spokesperson. Emergency services remain next to the building where the explosion occurred on Thursday.
The Belgian newspaper ‘Le Soir’ reports that a dozen residents of the affected block had to spend the night in reception accommodation provided by the city of Antwerp, while the other evacuees could be accommodated by family or friends.
The authorities’ first hypotheses suggest that the explosion could have occurred due to a gas leak. King Philippe of Belgium visited the site and sent a message of condolence to all the victims.
