King Willem-Alexander “in complete shock” following visit of explosion site in The Hague

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands have visited the site of the explosion in The Hague.

In the early hours of Saturday, several apartments in a complex were destroyed by an explosion, causing part of the building to collapse. So far, six people have been confirmed dead, and five people have been injured. The cause of the explosion is still unclear, but the police are looking for a car said to have been speeding away from the scene.

Earlier, the King and Queen posted a message of support on social media. It read, “Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning. We sympathise with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones. Our heart goes out to you and to the emergency services, who are fully committed to the rescue work.”

King Willem-Alexander spoke to the press after his visit, saying, “I am still in complete shock after what we have seen. It’s beyond imagination. You follow what’s happening minute by minute, but when you see the scene, the impact of the explosion on those buildings, all those people there… I’m still shaking when I think about it.”

The King and Queen also spoke with people affected by the tragedy and representatives of a foundation helping the victims with their immediate needs. One of them said, “It was very sad; there was quite a bit of crying. The king and queen listened very lovingly; it was an intimate moment.”