July 14, 2026, 3:07 p.mJuly 14, 2026, 6:01 p.m
Firefighters were able to create a small opening to one of the stuck elevators.Image: Brussels Fire Department
It is a horror discovery that Brussels firefighters made on Tuesday afternoon: several people were lying lifeless in an elevator of a building in the middle of the city center of the Belgian capital that is currently being renovated. The emergency services cannot get to them for hours. In the early evening there was certainty: at least five people had died, as the responsible public prosecutor told the German Press Agency.
One person is still missing. The helpers have not yet been able to open a second elevator.
The fire brigade was initially alerted to a small fire
It all starts with a seemingly small fire on the second floor of the complex. The fire department comes out, puts out the fire – and then does an inspection tour of the huge construction site, says a public prosecutor. “Many places were extremely difficult to access,” he continues.
At the same time it became known that 6 of the approximately 250 workers on the construction site were missing. Finally, the emergency services are able to fight their way to an elevator – and find several bodies in the cabin.
Access to another elevator is initially impossible. “It cannot be ruled out that more dead people will be found here,” says the public prosecutor. Two workers are also taken to the hospital, as is a firefighter who suffers heat stroke while on duty, a fire department spokesman reports. In the afternoon, exhausted firefighters can be seen in front of the building complex, sweating and reaching for water bottles.
Prime Minister also visits the scene of the accident
While the recovery of the first bodies begins, Belgium’s King Philippe and Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrive in front of the extensively cordoned off building. They do not comment publicly. Some onlookers are also on site.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close speaks of a drama that is deeply moving. He promises support for all those affected and thanks the rescue workers for their efforts.
Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed shock on X. Germany’s ambassador to Belgium, Martin Kotthaus, also expressed his condolences on the platform.
The Oxy building in a pedestrian zone in the middle of Brussels city center is currently being renovated. Previously serving as the headquarters of the Belgian capital’s administration, it is now to be converted into a multifunctional building with offices, restaurants, hotel rooms and apartments. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, according to previous estimates.
The companies Whitewood and Immobel are behind the project. Immobel said it was with deep shock that they learned of the victims of the fire on the construction site. «Our thoughts are first and foremost with those affected, their families and their colleagues. For all of us, this is above all a human tragedy.” Immobel supports the rescue and security forces as well as the authorities and is in close contact with everyone involved.
(cpf, with material from sda/dpa)