Five Dead in Antwerp Apartment Fire; Parliament Observes Moment of Silence

A fire in a 10-story residential building in Antwerp, Belgium, claimed at least five lives on Wednesday, according to Belgian police. Initial reports from local media suggested six fatalities, but this figure was later revised downward. The number of injured remains unclear, though witness accounts indicate it is high.

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We tried to get down ourselves, but we couldn't. We locked ourselves in the apartment and waited on the balcony. Ten minutes later, the fire department came and saved us with their ladder.

Firefighters and police responded to the blaze, with rescuers seen evacuating residents using ropes. Survivors recounted being trapped in their apartments as flames spread. "We tried to get down ourselves, but we couldn't. We locked ourselves in the apartment and waited on the balcony. Ten minutes later, the fire department came and saved us with their ladder," said Geert Devulff, a resident from the tenth floor.

Jacqueline Hieren, an 80-year-old resident, considered herself fortunate to escape. "I tried to get down, opened the door and smelled the fire. I saw small flames coming and then I went out. I don't remember anything else from that moment. I was lucky," she said, adding she managed to save her dog but two neighbors were unresponsive.

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I tried to get down, opened the door and smelled the fire. I saw small flames coming and then I went out. I don't remember anything else from that moment. I was lucky.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed his condolences, stating his thoughts were with the victims and evacuated residents. The Flemish Parliament observed a moment of silence to honor the deceased. This fire follows a series of serious blazes across Belgium in recent weeks, fueling concerns about building safety and the adequacy of fire prevention measures.

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My thoughts are with the victims and the evacuated residents of the terrible fire on Linkeroever. My deep appreciation goes out to the emergency services who are trying to help the many affected as quickly and safely as possible, and who are working hard to bring the fire under control.