Six people found dead in lift shaft after fire in central Brussels building

Six people have died in a fire at a building under construction in Brussels on Tuesday, local authorities have said.

The bodies were recovered from a lift blocked in a shaft at the Oxy tower in the centre of the city, in an operation that lasted several hours.

The cause of the fire, which broke out around 08:00 (07:00 BST), is unclear.

While the fire was put out quickly, firefighters discovered it had spread to the lift shafts, where two lifts were stuck.

Officials earlier said at least six people were missing, and that rescuers had found several victims after prying one lift open.

"It could be the six missing people, but there could also be more in the other lift, or elsewhere," said Brecht Speybrouck, spokesperson for the Brussels Labour Prosecutor's Office.

The prosecutor's office later confirmed six bodies had been retrieved from one lift, according to local media.

The mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, thanked the emergency services who "did an exceptional job" in "particularly difficult circumstances."

Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Philippe, King of the Belgians, arrived on the scene in the afternoon, Belgian outlet RTBF said.

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

The Oxy tower is still under construction and will eventually house flats, a hotel, restaurants and bars.

It is located 500m (0.3 miles) from the Grand Place, Brussels' central Baroque square.