Firefighters try to extinguish a fire in an apartment building in Antwerp, Belgium, July 1, 2026. Several people died and others were seriously injured or affected by smoke after a major fire broke out on Wednesday morning in an apartment building in the Belgian port city of Antwerp. Firefighters were still searching for possible victims inside the building. (Photo: Xinhua)

BRUSSELS, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Several people died and others were seriously injured or affected by smoke after a major fire broke out on Wednesday morning in an apartment building in the Belgian port city of Antwerp. Firefighters were still searching for possible victims inside the building.

According to Belgian media reports citing local police and fire services, Antwerp Fire Zone was called at around 9:53 a.m. local time to a fire in an apartment building on Antwerp's Left Bank. The building has about 200 residents.

Local police said the fire had claimed multiple lives, while a number of people were seriously injured and some residents suffered smoke inhalation. It remained unclear how many people were still inside the building and how many had already been evacuated. As of press time, local authorities had not released specific casualty figures. Affected residents were taken to the nearby Hof Ter Schelde care center.

Marie De Clercq, a spokesperson for Antwerp Fire Zone, said firefighters were focusing on searching for possible victims. She said smoke was spreading quickly and easily between floors and rooms, making it more difficult to search for people and evacuate them.

De Clercq said the fire had not yet been extinguished and was not under control. Firefighters initially believed the seat of the fire was on the eighth floor, but said it was difficult to confirm. Multiple firefighting teams and drone teams were at the scene.

The provincial disaster plan had not been activated, but a provincial scale-up had been requested, meaning neighboring fire zones had been called in.

A medical intervention plan was activated. Fire services asked people to avoid the area and advised residents affected by smoke to keep doors and windows closed and, if necessary, turn off ventilation systems.

The cause of the fire remained unclear. Local police said a forensic team would arrive at the scene later in the day to investigate.