A devastating tragedy unfolded on Tuesday morning in Brussels when a fire broke out at a skyscraper under construction. According to an official statement from the Belgian capital’s Labour Prosecution Service, rescuers discovered several victims trapped inside one of the building’s elevators. At this time, authorities are conducting a full-scale investigation, as the exact number of fatalities has yet to be confirmed.
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Meanwhile, deep concern surrounds the fate of six people who remain missing. Authorities fear the missing individuals may be trapped in a second elevator at the construction site, which firefighting crews have been unable to access due to structural damage and hazardous conditions on the ground.
JUST IN: Multiple people dead, 6 missing, after a fire erupted at the OXY building in Brussels, Belgium; some victims found inside an elevator. pic.twitter.com/qha9vTTtyQ
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) July 14, 2026
Underscoring the gravity of the situation, Brussels Labour Prosecution spokesperson Brecht Speybrouck stated: “Firefighters managed to create a small opening in one of the elevators, and that is where multiple victims were found.”
When asked about the ongoing investigation and whether the death toll could rise, he added: “We do not yet know how many people are in there. It may be the six missing individuals, but there could also be additional people in the second elevator or elsewhere in the building.”
How the fire spread and sealed the fate of those trapped
The fire broke out just before 08:00 local time on the second floor of the building under construction in Brussels.
Although the initial blaze was brought under control quickly, flames spread into the elevator shaft, triggering a second fire inside it. Firefighting crews subsequently brought this second outbreak under control as well.
Three people injured
Two individuals who sustained burns were transferred to the Military Hospital in Neder-Over-Heembeek, while a firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and received first aid treatment on-site.
Construction workers were evacuated from the building and moved to a safe area, where Red Cross teams provided psychological support. Authorities simultaneously activated both the internal emergency response plan and dedicated medical and psychosocial crisis management protocols.
Cause of the fire remains unknown
The cause of the fire is still unknown and is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.
The OXY building, which remains under construction, is intended to house apartments, restaurants, and rooftop bars upon completion.
