Brussels Tower Tragedy
Bodies Discovered, Six Missing After Major Fire Engulfs Under-Construction Oxy Tower in Central Brussels
Anonymous
Key Points
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The Oxy Tower is located in central Brussels, in a pedestrian zone near the Grand Place (Place De Brouckère), about 500 metres from the square, underscoring how the incident occurred in a busy city center.
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Firefighters pried open one elevator shaft and found multiple victims inside an elevator, with six people reported missing who could be trapped in a separate lift or elsewhere in the building.
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Access to the other elevator has not yet been granted, raising concerns that there could be additional casualties trapped in that lift or elsewhere in the under-construction building.
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Brussels Mayor Philippe Close described the event as a heartbreaking tragedy and pledged support for all affected, highlighting the city’s response to the incident.
A fire tore through the Oxy Tower, a construction site in central Brussels, killing at least five people and leaving one worker still missing. Yahoo News reported that five bodies were recovered from an elevator shaft, with the Brussels Prosecutor's Office confirming the toll after initially saying six people were missing.
The blaze broke out on the second floor of the under-construction building near Place De Brouckère, just 500 metres from the Grand Place. Around 250 workers were on site when flames spread into a lift shaft, forcing a full evacuation. At least two workers were hospitalized with burns, and one firefighter was treated for heat exposure.
Bodies Found Trapped Inside an Elevator Shaft
Firefighters forced open one of the building's elevator shafts and found multiple charred bodies inside. CTV News reported that six workers had been listed as missing before authorities recovered the victims. The Brussels Prosecutor's Office later confirmed five bodies had been found, with one person still unaccounted for.
Access to a second elevator had not yet been granted at the time of early reports, raising fears of more casualties. Taylor Daily News noted that the flames had spread directly into the lift shaft, making rescue efforts dangerous and slow. Officials have not yet confirmed a final death toll.
Fire Starts on Second Floor, Spreads Fast Through Shafts
The fire began on the second floor of the Oxy Tower. It quickly moved into the lift shafts, which acted like chimneys and pulled the flames upward through the building. A second blaze broke out as a result, complicating the firefighting effort.
The Oxy Tower is set to become a mixed-use building with offices, homes, and amenities. It sits in a busy pedestrian zone near one of Europe's most visited squares. The scale of the workforce — 250 people on site — meant a large and complex evacuation had to be carried out quickly.
Mayor Calls It a Tragedy, Prosecutors Launch Investigation
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close described the event as a heartbreaking tragedy. He pledged the city's full support for all those affected by the fire. The Brussels Prosecutor's Office also stepped in, confirming it was actively investigating the cause and scope of the disaster.
Firefighters and emergency crews were praised for responding quickly to a fast-moving and dangerous situation. The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as workers and families wait for answers.
Two Workers Hospitalized, One Firefighter Treated on Scene
Two workers suffered burn injuries serious enough to require hospitalization. A firefighter was also treated at the scene for heat exposure after battling the blaze inside the under-construction high-rise. CTV News confirmed both workers were hospitalized as rescue teams worked to account for all 250 people who had been on site.
Emergency responders faced tough conditions inside the building. Smoke and heat from the lift shaft fires made it hard to move through the structure safely. Officials have not ruled out that additional victims could still be found as the search continues.
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