Tragedy in Brussels: Victims Found in Elevator After Fire, Six Missing

A serious incident occurred this morning in Brussels, where authorities found several deceased victims inside an elevator in a building under reconstruction that was engulfed by flames.

The Brussels Labor Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the incident but did not provide the exact number of victims. Six people are missing, and investigators suspect they may be in a second elevator, which rescue teams have not yet been able to access.

“Firefighters made a small opening in one of the elevators and discovered several victims; the precise number of people inside is unknown—they could be the six missing individuals, but the presence of others in the second elevator or elsewhere in the building cannot be ruled out,” said a spokesperson for the Labor Prosecutor’s Office.

According to official sources, the fire broke out around 8:00 a.m. local time on the second floor of the building, which was undergoing reconstruction. The initial flames were quickly brought under control but spread through the elevator shaft, causing a secondary fire that was later extinguished by firefighters.

Three people were injured. Two workers suffering from burns were taken to the Military Hospital in Neder-over-Heembeek, while a firefighter received on-site medical attention due to exhaustion from the high temperatures.

The remaining workers were evacuated from the construction site and moved to a safe area, where they received psychological support from the Red Cross. Authorities also activated their emergency plan and protocols for managing medical and psychosocial crises.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation. The OXY building, where the tragedy took place, was slated to be turned into a complex featuring apartments, restaurants, and a rooftop bar.