SIX BODIES RECOVERED FROM ELEVATOR SHAFT AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

BRUSSELS, JULY 14 /SRNA/ - Six people were killed in a fire at a building under construction in Brussels, local authorities said.

The bodies were recovered from an elevator trapped in a shaft in the Oxy Tower in the city centre during an operation that lasted several hours.

Officials had earlier said that at least six people were missing and that rescuers had found several victims after opening one of the elevators.

The prosecutor's office later confirmed that six bodies had been recovered from a single elevator.

Local media reported that two people were taken to hospital with severe burns, while a firefighter was treated at the scene after being exposed to high temperatures.

The fire broke out at around 8:00 a.m. and, although it was extinguished quickly, firefighters discovered that it had spread to the elevator shafts, where two elevators had become stuck.

Brussels Mayor Philippe Close thanked the emergency services, which "did an exceptional job in particularly difficult circumstances."

Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Belgian King Philippe arrived at the scene in the afternoon, Belgian broadcaster RTBF reported.

The Oxy Tower is still under construction and will eventually contain apartments, a hotel, restaurants and bars. It is located 500 metres from the Grand Place, the central Baroque square in Brussels, according to the BBC.