Multiple Dead in Antwerp Apartment Building Fire on Linkeroever

A catastrophic fire tore through a 10-story apartment building on the August Vermeylenlaan on Linkeroever in Antwerp on Wednesday morning, leaving multiple people dead and several others seriously injured. Emergency services are still searching for victims as the scale of the tragedy continues to unfold.

Emergency services received the first call shortly before 10:00 AM local time, according to Politie Antwerpen. Fire crews arriving at the scene were met with a thick black smoke plume visible from far across the city. The blaze, which may have originated on the eighth floor, quickly spread through the building, forcing a full-scale evacuation of more than 200 residents.

Evacuation and Rescue Operation

Firefighters from Brandweer Zone Antwerpen, assisted by neighboring zones Waasland and Rand, launched a massive rescue operation. A drone team was deployed to assess the situation from above. The provincial disaster plan was activated, elevating the response to the operational coordination phase.

Residents on upper floors faced the most harrowing escape. Geert Dewulf, who lived on the tenth floor, described the ordeal to VRT NWS: “First the electricity went out, three minutes later we got the fire alarm. There was already smoke in the hallways.” He and his partner were rescued from their terrace by firefighters using a ladder. “We tried to go down on our own, but we couldn’t manage. We barricaded ourselves in our apartment and waited on the terrace. About ten minutes later, the fire brigade came to rescue us.”

Former Antwerp mayor Bob Cools, a resident of the building, was also evacuated safely along with his wife.

Casualties and Ongoing Search

Police spokesperson Kim Bastiaens confirmed multiple fatalities, though authorities have not released exact figures. “We are still searching for people in the building,” Bastiaens said. “There are multiple seriously injured and multiple lightly injured. Unfortunately, there are also a number of fatalities, but how many we cannot say at this moment. The priority now is searching for people in the building and providing medical care.”

According to De Morgen, at least 13 people were reported injured, including both serious and minor cases. Multiple MUG (Mobile Urgency Group) medical teams were dispatched to the scene, and a large coordination bus was set up to manage the response.

Fire Origin and Spread

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Initial reports suggested the fire started on the tenth floor, but the fire brigade later indicated it may have begun on the eighth floor — though this has not been officially confirmed. A neighbor who was evacuated from an adjacent block told VRT NWS that the fire “apparently started in an electrical shaft. That’s how it spread.”

Brandweer spokesperson Marie De Clercq said visibility was minimal when crews arrived, making it difficult to pinpoint the origin. “When our crews arrived, they already saw a thick smoke plume. It was clear it was a severe fire,” she said. “Currently, firefighters are still working to get everyone out. We don’t know how many people are inside or how many still need to be brought out.”

As of late morning, the fire was not yet under control, though smoke had reduced. The priority had shifted from firefighting to searching for victims.

Community Response

A BE-Alert was sent to residents in the surrounding area, advising them to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the vicinity. An emergency reception center was established to shelter and support evacuated residents.

Many family members were left anxiously waiting for news. One concerned relative told VRT NWS: “My mother lives on the fifth floor. I don’t know if she was home or where she is now. I’m worried and I don’t have any more information at the moment.”

What Comes Next

Authorities have indicated that a judicial laboratory and fire experts will arrive at the scene to investigate the cause once the search and rescue operation is complete. The Algemeen Dagblad reported that the death toll may rise as search operations continue through the building.

The tragedy has raised urgent questions about fire safety in high-rise residential buildings, particularly regarding the evacuation of elderly and vulnerable residents. With over 200 people displaced, the focus in the coming days will be on identifying victims, supporting survivors, and determining how such a devastating fire was able to spread so rapidly through the building.