There are still several injured
At least five people died and several others were injured following a fire that broke out this morning in a residential building in the Belgian city of Antwerp, according to local authorities.
According to the police, the alert was given at 9:53 am (8:53 am in mainland Portugal), due to a large fire that originated on the eighth floor of a ten-story building, located in the Linkeroever area.
The building, where more than 200 people live, was completely evacuated while operations to combat the flames and assist victims were underway.
“The building has 10 floors and houses more than 200 people”: several dead in a terrible fire this Wednesday in Antwerp
— RTL info (@rtlinfo)
Authorities have confirmed the existence of at least five fatal victims so far. There are also several injured.
Police appealed to nearby residents to keep doors and windows closed and, if possible, turn off ventilation systems, due to the intense smoke released by the fire.
Several fire brigades from different areas of the region were mobilized to the site.
The causes of the fire remain undetermined and the investigation should continue after the conclusion of the aftermath operations.
