The blaze erupted Tuesday in the Oxy Tower, located in central Brussels, just 500 meters from the Grand Place. Although firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, the fire spread into elevator shafts where two lifts were trapped. Upon opening one, rescuers found several bodies, though the exact number remains unclear. Six people are officially listed as missing.

Brecht Sypbroeck, spokesperson for the Brussels labor prosecutor’s office, stated that recovery operations are complicated by debris and could take hours. If the victims are not among the missing, searches will extend to the second elevator and other parts of the building.

Mayor Philippe Close praised emergency services for their “exceptional work under extremely difficult conditions.” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and King Philippe visited the site later in the day.

Local media reported that two people were hospitalized with severe burns, while a firefighter received treatment on-site for heat exposure. The Oxy Tower, still under construction, is planned to house serviced apartments, restaurants, and bars.

The tragedy has shaken Brussels, with the incident occurring in one of the city’s busiest districts. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.