“Further arrests cannot be ruled out,” the officials announced.
On Saturday night we met locals trudging in the rain between fire trucks and police vans.
The quiet neighborhood is shaken by the death of six people and the uncertainty surrounding the nature and possible cause of the blast.
Among the victims were three members of the same family – a 45-year-old father, his 41-year-old partner and their 17-year-old daughter. Their 8-year-old son miraculously survived.
Three other men aged 31, 44 and 63 were also killed. Among them was a civil engineer from Greece who was allegedly “in love with the Netherlands”.
Another four were rescued from the ruins of their former homes.
Several vehicles were impounded – although it is unclear if any were present saw that the car was speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion.
Police have received dozens of reports and are appealing for additional witnesses and footage from pet cameras and video recorders.
Forensic teams are ready to resume investigations once the crime scene is deemed safe.
The impact of the explosion went beyond the immediate victims.
Four people were hospitalized, including two who were sleeping in the basement of the bar at the time and were treated for smoke inhalation.
The bridal shop next door to the bar was completely destroyed, while the wine stock in another bar on the ground floor remained intact. The artist’s workshop was also completely destroyed.
Many residents were evacuated and remain in shelters while structural damage is assessed.
