Several residents have been killed and numerous others injured following a devastating fire in an apartment complex in Antwerp, Belgium, according to police reports on Wednesday.
The blaze ignited mid-morning on the eighth floor of a ten-story residential building in the city’s Linkeroever neighborhood. The facility, which houses more than 200 residents, emitted massive plumes of smoke that were visible across the city.
Emergency crews initiated a full evacuation of the building. Local authorities advised nearby residents to seal their doors and windows and deactivate ventilation systems to avoid smoke inhalation.
Due to the scale and intensity of the fire, firefighters faced grueling conditions while battling the flames. A large-scale response was deployed, including multiple first-responder teams and a specialized drone unit. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
To ensure the efficient treatment of the injured and prevent the saturation of local medical facilities, a coordinated medical emergency plan was activated.
While smoke began to clear by early afternoon, a significant emergency presence remained on-site. Dramatic footage captured the desperation of the situation, showing one resident hanging over a balcony, enveloped in smoke, in a frantic search for fresh air before managing to reach a nearby window.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who previously served as the mayor of Antwerp, expressed his condolences via social media, stating that his “thoughts are with the victims and the evacuated residents of the terrible fire on Linkeroever.”
“My deep appreciation goes out to the emergency services who are striving to help the many affected people as quickly and safely as possible, and who are working hard to bring the fire under control,” De Wever added.
The Linkeroever neighborhood, located in eastern Antwerp, is a dense residential district characterized by high-rise apartments and its proximity to a major park known for hosting summer music festivals.