A parking garage at the Sint Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein collapsed late in the evening outside regular hospital visiting hours, according to reports from the Utrecht Safety Region. The collapse caused chaos within the garage and it is uncertain whether anyone was inside at the time. Emergency services and the fire brigade were quickly deployed, and a police helicopter is currently monitoring the area.
Residents nearby reported hearing a loud noise that sounded like thunder, but with clear skies, it was not lightning. Many people have flocked to the scene of the accident, causing difficulties for authorities dealing with the situation. Stefan, a local resident, described hearing a series of loud thumps and seeing a dust cloud forming above the parking garage.
Investigations into the safety of the garage’s floors were reportedly conducted in 2017 after a similar collapse at Eindhoven Airport. Despite concerns about the structural integrity of the floor, the investigation confirmed the safety of the floors in the Nieuwegein garage. The Q-Park garage has six floors accessible by two entrance roads.
