Several Killed in Brussels Construction Fire

Several people were killed in a fire at a major construction site in central Brussels on Tuesday, while emergency crews continued searching for six missing workers, Belgian authorities said.

The fire broke out in the morning at Place de Brouckère, where more than 200 people were working at the time. Belgian media reported that firefighters quickly brought the initial blaze on the lower floors under control, but the flames spread through elevator shafts into the building's underground levels, where a second fire erupted.

Belgium's labor inspectorate said the victims were found inside one of two elevator cabins. Inspectorate spokesperson Brecht Speybrouck said rescue teams had so far reached only one cabin, where they discovered the bodies of at least two people. Officials have not yet confirmed the final death toll.

Three injured workers were taken to hospital for treatment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Rescue teams continue to search the site for the six workers who are still unaccounted for.

(Reuters, Lud)