Several Killed and Injured in Fire at Antwerp Apartment Building

Multiple fatalities and injuries were reported after a fire broke out in a 10‑storey block of flats in Antwerp's Linkeroever district.

Thick smoke poured from the 8th floor just before 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Residents were forced to barricade themselves inside their flats and wait on balconies as the blaze spread rapidly, cutting off escape routes.

A dramatic clip showed a man leaping from his balcony through a neighbour's window to flee the black smoke, highlighting the desperate circumstances.

Over 200 residents live in the building, and police have already recovered several bodies. Local fire‑brigade reports that the smoke’s density and poor visibility made it very difficult to evacuate occupants and extinguish the fire.

Geert Dewulf, a resident, spoke to Belgian public TV: “We were barricaded into our flat and waited on the balcony. The fire brigade came with a ladder 10 minutes later to rescue us.”

Another witness noted that parents‑in‑law, including former Antwerp mayor Bob Cools, were evacuated and transferred to hospital but were not injured.

Investigators say the fire’s cause is still unknown, though shore witnesses reported roof work underway, which may have contributed to the outbreak.

Antwerp fire brigade spokeswoman Marie de Clerq described the incident as a “complex fire” and confirmed the challenges the making of its containment difficult due to the thick smoke.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever extended his thoughts to victims and evacuated residents, describing the blaze as a “terrible fire” that shook the community.

The incident underscores the importance of stringent building safety protocols in high‑rise residences.