Brussels tower fire kills at least six, several workers remain unaccounted for

At least six people were killed after a fire broke out at a residential tower under renovation in central Brussels on Tuesday, local authorities said.

The blaze spread through the lift shaft, trapping a group of workers inside an elevator, according to preliminary information. More than 200 workers were employed at the construction site, known as the Oxy Tower.

Rescue teams continued efforts to reach those trapped. By mid-afternoon, they had not managed to free the workers, but were able to see several bodies inside the elevator cabin.

"Bodies have been found, but we can't say how many (...) certainly two, maybe three," Brecht Speybrouck, labour auditor for Brussels, told reporters, AFP reported.

He also said six workers who were present at the site in the morning could no longer be contacted by the afternoon.

Rescue operation continues

Firefighters brought the blaze under control in the early afternoon, while civil protection teams were deployed to support rescue operations and help reach the trapped workers.

The Oxy Tower is still under construction and is expected to include residential apartments, a hotel, restaurants and bars once completed.

Belgium’s King Phillipe toured the site several hours later.

“My thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone still in uncertainty,” Quintin said in a post on social media. “A sincere thank you to our fire department and all emergency services for their dedication.”