6 confirmed dead in apartment fire in Belgium"s Antwerp

At least six people have died in a major apartment fire in the Belgian city of Antwerp, police confirmed on Wednesday, as rescue and search operations continue, Report informs via Anadolu.

The fire erupted shortly before 10 am local time (0800GMT) in a 10-story apartment building in the city's Linkeroever district.

More than 200 people live in the apartment complex, and evacuation operations were still underway hours after the blaze began.

An Antwerp Fire Department drone team was deployed to assist search and rescue efforts.

Emergency crews from neighboring fire and rescue zones were also supporting operations.

A medical intervention plan was activated to coordinate emergency medical assistance, while residents who were evacuated and did not require treatment were being accommodated in nearby facilities.

According to the Antwerp Fire Zone, the cause remains under investigation, but the blaze is believed to have started due to a technical problem on the ground floor.

A judicial investigation has been launched, with both the public prosecutor's office and an investigating judge appointed to examine the incident.