Fifteen people were injured, seven seriously, when a powerful gas explosion ripped through three stores in a crowded shopping district of The Hague today.
Ambulances shuttled victims to municipal hospitals, and some of the wounded were treated at a makeshift first aid centre at a nearby library in the Dutch city.
Mayor Wim Deetman told a nationally broadcast news conference that the explosion, in the basement of a snack bar, seriously damaged two apartments, a butchers' shop and a clothing store, blowing off the front and rear facades of the building.
He said that about four hours after the explosion that rescue workers were confident that no victims remained buried in the rubble.
Officials said there were no indications the blast was the result of an attack.
AP