Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited The Hague to meet with the families of those affected by the explosion and fire, and to offer their condolences and support to first responders and volunteers in the area.
Early Saturday morning, two explosions hit the Tarwekamp apartment building in The Hague. As of publication, six bodies have been recovered from the rubble and but other people are still missing. In the aftermath of the explosions, several buildings collapsed.
The royals met with the families of victims and survivors, as well as first responders and frontline volunteers who have come to help out.
After their visit, the royals spoke with the press and King Willem-Alexander expressed his shock. He told reporters that his legs were shaking as he spoke, so thrown by the explosions and subsequent fires in the area on Saturday. He said “It is beyond imagination….you follow what is happening minute by minute, but when you see a place like that. The impact of such an explosion on such a building, I still shake when I think back.”
He said of the volunteers and first responders that “The humanity we have seen here after such a disaster also gives an incredible amount of energy. And of course all the emergency workers who have been ready day and night, who have helped in the most terrible weather.”
Over the weekend the royal couple released a statement: “Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning. We sympathize with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones. Our hearts go out to you and to the emergency services who are fully committed to the rescue work.”