Three dead and several injured after apartment block explosion in the Netherlands

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Loud bangs rocked the Mariahoeve neighbourhood in The Hague at about 0615 local time and images of the scene showed one segment, encompassing about five apartments, had been reduced to ashes and rubble. Mayor Jan van Zanen said investigators are looking into “all possibilities”. Mr Van Zanen told a news conference: “I had expected a different Saturday.” The Dutch royal family said: “Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning.” King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima added they send their wishes to those “who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones”.