No new victims found in rubble of Amsterdam sports gym after explosion; police make arrests

Search teams have concluded their operation under the debris of a sports facility in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, confirming no further victims were discovered. The intensive search, which utilized specialized dogs, ended shortly before midnight. The incident occurred during the night between Thursday and Friday when a powerful explosion ripped through the sports school, causing a partial collapse of the structure and injuring seven individuals, one of whom remains in serious condition.

Residents from an adjacent apartment building were evacuated and spent a second night away from their homes. Authorities hope to provide more clarity on their return by Saturday. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with the Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland (Safety Region Amsterdam-Amstelland) stating they cannot yet comment on the specifics.

While official statements are pending, local media outlet Het Parool reported, citing sources among neighborhood residents, that a group involved in "plofkrakers" (a term often associated with explosive device use in criminal activities) might have been manufacturing explosives in a basement storage unit beneath the sports school. The municipality of Amsterdam has indicated it is considering "all scenarios" as part of its assessment.

The police were unable to enter the premises for investigative purposes on Friday due to the ongoing search operation. However, they have announced the arrest of multiple individuals, the seizure of vehicles, and the retrieval of surveillance footage from the surrounding area. With the search for victims now complete, the criminal investigation is set to proceed within the damaged building starting Saturday.