A dead body was found on Monday evening in the rubble of one of two houses destroyed by a gas explosion in Maasmechelen, Limburg.
The body was uncovered beneath the debris during a search by police and emergency services.
The first responders had been called shortly after 6.00 p.m. due to the smell of gas in Steenkuilstraat.
The explosion occurred around 6:45 p.m. Debris and bricks were propelled metres into the air, but nearby residents had been evacuated in time. Others residents living further down the street were advised to stay indoors.
The explosion also produced a shockwave, shattering windows of nearby houses.
Maasmechelen’s fire brigade created a water curtain over the debris, as it took some time for network operator Fluvius to shut off the gas supply and reduce any risk of further explosions.
Firefighters and police deployed a drone to survey the area around the two destroyed houses. A thermal imaging camera was used to locate bodies trapped beneath the rubble.
Initially, it had been reported that there were no injuries. However, the dead body was subsequently discovered.
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts and needing to talk, can contact the Suicide Line at 1813 or visit www.zelfmoord1813.be.
