Six Dead After Fire in Brussels Construction Site Lift Shaft

Brussels, Belgium — Ekhbary News Agency

Six individuals tragically lost their lives following a fire at a construction site in central Brussels on Tuesday. Authorities confirmed the grim discovery of the bodies within a lift shaft at the Oxy tower, a building still under development, after an extensive recovery operation lasting several hours. The incident, which began around 08:00 local time, prompted a swift response from emergency services.

Rescue Efforts and Initial Findings

Firefighters managed to quickly contain the blaze, yet the flames had already spread to the building's lift shafts, trapping two lifts. Initially, officials reported at least six people missing. Rescuers worked diligently, prying open one lift to find several victims. Brecht Speybrouck, a spokesperson for the Brussels Labour Prosecutor's Office, indicated the possibility of more victims in the second lift, though local media later confirmed six bodies from the first. Two people were hospitalized with severe burns, and a firefighter received on-site treatment for heat exposure, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by responders.

Official Reactions and Site Details

Mayor Philippe Close lauded the "exceptional job" performed by emergency services under "particularly difficult circumstances," a sentiment echoed by the presence of Prime Minister Bart De Wever and King Philippe at the scene later that afternoon. The Oxy tower, destined to house apartments, a hotel, and various commercial establishments, stands approximately 500 meters from the historic Grand Place. This unfortunate event underscores the critical importance of stringent safety protocols on construction sites, for what it's worth.