ANTWERP — At least six people were killed and many others were injured after a fire swept through a 10-storey apartment building in the Belgian city of Antwerp on Wednesday, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the evacuation of hundreds of residents, police said.
The blaze broke out during the morning at the residential tower in the Linkeroever district, where more than 200 people lived across about 80 apartments. Firefighters, police officers and medical teams from several districts were dispatched to the scene after emergency services received reports of a major fire.
Antwerp police said the building was evacuated as rescue crews searched for trapped residents. Firefighters used ladders, ropes and aerial equipment to reach people stranded on upper floors while smoke billowed from the building. Authorities later confirmed that at least six people had died, while a significant number of others suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Police spokesperson Kim Bastiaens described the death toll as severe and said emergency crews continued searching the building to ensure no additional victims remained inside. Fire officials said operations were complicated by the scale of the blaze, although they reported that the fire had been prevented from spreading further.
Authorities initially reported that the fire had started on an upper floor, but later said preliminary findings indicated it originated on the ground floor. The cause has not been determined, and investigators are examining the scene. Officials have not announced whether the fire was accidental or the result of any criminal activity.
Residents of nearby buildings were advised to keep windows and doors closed and switch off ventilation systems because of heavy smoke. Around 60 people from a neighboring building were also evacuated as a precaution and taken to temporary accommodation, while displaced residents from the affected tower were sheltered at local facilities.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed condolences to the victims and their families and praised firefighters, police officers and medical personnel for their response to the disaster. He said emergency services were working to assist those affected and secure the site.
Firefighters remained at the scene into the afternoon as investigators continued their examination of the building and authorities worked to account for all residents.
