2 people that sustained life-threatening injuries in a suspected gas explosion in Antwerp are now out of danger. The explosion happened in a block of flats on the Sint-Jansplein in Antwerp on Thursday evening. They will remain in hospital with 2 other people that were also injured in the explosion.
At around 7pm on Thursday evening Antwerp police received a report of an explosion on the Sint-Jansplein. Kim Bastiaens of the Antwerp Local Police Service told VRT News that “A suspected gas explosion occurred in the basement of a nine-storey apartment building. We are currently conducting an investigation into the exact circumstances”.
4 people were hospitalised, 2 of whom with life-threatening injuries. The other residents of the flats were evacuated. "There is no structural damage, so residents could return home tonight (Thursday night)."
There is above all a lot of glass damage. Many windows have been smashed and a lot of glass has fallen onto the street. Some of the doors inside the building have been destroyed. The gas distribution infrastructure management company Fluvius and Antwerp’s city engineer went to the scene to ensure that it was made safe. The Fire Service also went to the Sint-Jansplein to check for gas in other buildings near to where the explosion happened.
VRT NWS was able to speak to a resident that was inside the building when the blast occurred. "My flat was shaking. I went downstairs and saw a lot of smoke. I got a huge shock. This is terrible."