The blaze spread through the lift shaft, trapping a group of workers inside an elevator, according to preliminary information. More than 200 workers were employed at the construction site, known as the Oxy Tower.
Rescue teams continued efforts to reach those trapped. By mid-afternoon, they had not managed to free the workers, but were able to see several bodies inside the elevator cabin.
“Bodies have been found, but we can’t say how many (…) certainly two, maybe three,” Brecht Speybrouck, labour auditor for Brussels, told reporters, AFP reported.
The Oxy Tower is still under construction and is expected to include residential apartments, a hotel, restaurants and bars once completed.
“My thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone still in uncertainty,” Quintin said in a post on social media. “A sincere thank you to our fire department and all emergency services for their dedication.”