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At least one explosion tore through Utrecht's historic city center on Thursday afternoon, causing multiple buildings to collapse and injuring four people, though authorities remained uncertain hours later whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
The blast occurred just before 3:30 p.m. on Visschersteeg, a street in the heart of the Dutch city. Several witnesses reported hearing explosions, though officials could not immediately confirm whether one or multiple detonations had taken place, according to a Veiligheidsregio Utrecht spokesperson.
"After the explosion, several buildings collapsed," the emergency services office stated in an update at 6:20 p.m. "The fire department is currently investigating how the collapsed and damaged buildings can be safely searched to determine if anyone is still inside."
The four injured victims were transported to UMC Utrecht's emergency department. More than three hours after the incident began, rescue workers continued their efforts to determine if additional people remained in the wreckage.
The force of the explosion reverberated hundreds of meters away to Utrecht's City Council building, where occupants felt the impact. Some witnesses reported detecting an odor resembling natural gas, though these accounts remained unconfirmed.
"We heard a boom, the door flew open and a guy even joked, 'Did a ghost just come in?' And then we saw smoke everywhere when we went outside," one witness told Hart van Nederland.
The explosion triggered a fire that spread to several buildings despite firefighters' efforts to contain it. Crews were forced to battle the flames from the street and aerial platforms, unable to safely enter the damaged structures.
Authorities declared a "very large fire" and issued a Grip 2 regional emergency classification, enabling them to summon dozens of paramedics, firefighters and police officers from outside the city. Rescue workers from across provincial Utrecht responded to assist, while a disaster response team worked to aid affected residents.
Emergency services cordoned off an extensive area extending well beyond Visschersteeg into the surrounding neighborhood and a larger portion of the city center. Officials urged the public to avoid the area and give emergency responders space to work.
As a precautionary measure, authorities shut off electricity and gas to affected buildings and surrounding properties near Visschersteeg—standard protocol during fires and explosions to prevent additional hazards.
The municipality and Red Cross established a shelter at Hotel Karel V for residents living near Visschersteeg. Staff members kept displaced individuals updated on developments and provided emotional support while officials determined who could return home and who would require temporary accommodations.
Due to the damage and ongoing inspection of the historic buildings, many residents were expected to spend the night away from their homes. The hotel also served as a meeting point for relatives seeking to confirm whether family members had been safely evacuated.
"This afternoon, Utrecht was shaken by a major explosion and large fire in the heart of our city," City Council members wrote in a joint social media message. "Much remains uncertain at this time. The thoughts of the Utrecht City Council go out to all those affected in the impacted area."
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