A man trapped in the rubble of an apartment building after a gas explosion in The Hague on Sunday afternoon was finally freed by rescue workers shortly before midnight.

The 28-year-old man, who was conscious when rescued, was taken to hospital and it is still unclear what the extent of his injuries are. His parents, whom he lived with in the flat, were also injured.

In total 10 people were caught up in the blast in Jan van der Heijdenstraat at around 4pm and eight were taken to hospital for minor injuries. They included a woman who had to be rescued by crane.

The city’s fire service said a gas explosion was the cause and shut off the supply to the street. Dozens of other people were evacuated from neighbouring properties because the blast left other buildings at risk of collapse.

City mayor Pauline Krikke visited the scene on Sunday evening and described the incident as ‘terrible for those who were directly involved’. Hotel accommodation has been arranged for the residents of around 20 homes that have been declared unsafe.

Specialist support teams were drafted in from Alphen aan den Rijn and Beusichem in Gelderland to help with the rescue effort.

De hulpdiensten hebben zojuist twee personen onder het puin aan de #JanvanderHeijdenstraat #DenHaag vandaan gehaald. Beide krijgen medische verzorging. pic.twitter.com/ZKD3n6C40k

— Redactie Regio15.nl (@regio15) January 27, 2019

Op bovenste etage hangt bank in totaal verwoeste pui #JanvanderHeijdenstraat pic.twitter.com/5zArSS7j56

— lieke jongbloed (@ljongbloed) January 27, 2019