Overview
- A raging fire broke out on the eighth floor of a 10‑storey apartment block in Antwerp’s Linkeroever neighborhood on Wednesday morning and drew a major multi‑zone emergency response.
- Thick smoke and poor visibility made ladder and rope rescues necessary and slowed firefighters as they searched the smoke‑filled building.
- Police and multiple outlets report several deaths with most official counts giving five fatalities while some early reports briefly cited six as authorities continue to confirm casualties.
- About 200 residents were evacuated to temporary shelter and a medical emergency plan was activated to coordinate care for many injured people.
- Investigators have opened a formal judicial and forensic inquiry after authorities said a technical problem on the ground floor may have started the blaze and they continue to examine the scene.