Injuries have been reported after a blast in the city of Utrecht in the Netherlands
Antonio Scancariello and Kirstie McCrum
16:04, 15 Jan 2026Updated 16:06, 15 Jan 2026
A "gigantic explosion" has rocked the Dutch city of Utrecht, with debris scattered across a street in the city centre, according to reports.
The blast has left at least one person injured, with more reports saying up to 10 may have been hurt. Plumes of smoke can be seen rising into the sky in clips shared online.
Emergency services are tackling the fire, according to local sources.
A resident shared a brief video on X [Twitter] saying "at least one building was completely wiped out", reports the Express.
NL Times, an English-speaking local media outlet, said the explosion was heard at around 3.30pm today (January 15) in the city centre.
At least a half-dozen ambulances were sent to the scene, and a medical trauma team was dispatched to the area by helicopter. Police began to cordon off the area, while fire department workers tried to tackle the flames, the NL Times also reported.
112 Nederland reported that the emergency services received multiple reports, including one of an explosion, near an area of the city called Mariaplaats.
According to the AD newspaper, several people were present in the stairwell of a parking garage at the time of the explosions. They reported a total of four explosions.
The roof of a house next to the garage was completely blown off, and flames immediately shot high from the building, 112 Nederland also said.