sport
Explosion at Amsterdam Gym Injures Seven, Investigation Underway
A midnight blast at a 24-hour gym near the Osdorper Ban has disrupted training routines for Amsterdam's sports community while crews search for more victims.
How we reported this
Seven people were hurt, one of them seriously, when an explosion and fire tore through a fitness studio beside apartment blocks in western Amsterdam late on Thursday night.
Amsterdam's sports scene relies on facilities that stay open around the clock so club athletes and recreational users can fit sessions around work and training schedules. The sudden loss of one such site leaves regular visitors without a familiar place to prepare for upcoming matches and events.
Evacuation and Immediate Response
Emergency calls came in shortly after midnight, and the blast was heard across nearby streets. Firefighters worked through the early hours to contain the flames while 400 residents from the adjoining housing complex were moved to safety. Sniffer dogs began checking the site on Friday morning for anyone still unaccounted for.
Photos shared locally show large sections of brickwork blown out at the sports complex. The gym owner told reporters that camera footage appeared to show the blast originating beneath the floor, where pipes, an electricity transformer and storage areas for apartment residents are located. Police, the fire brigade and explosives specialists are now examining the scene together.
Next Steps for the Community
People living close to the damaged building have been told to keep windows shut because of lingering smoke. Fencing has gone up around the area as the investigation continues. Officials stress that nothing has been ruled out yet and that the priority remains supporting everyone affected.
Local athletes who trained at the studio will need to find alternative venues while repairs and checks take place. The DutchNews report notes that the number of injured could still rise once all checks are complete.