A Romanian national died and another was seriously injured in a fire that broke out on Tuesday in Brussels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

According to the cited source, the injured Romanian is hospitalized in a medical facility and is receiving specialized care.

Representatives of the Romanian Embassy in Brussels are keeping the situation under close watch, remain in permanent contact with the competent Belgian authorities, including the medical unit where the Romanian national is hospitalized, and are prepared to provide consular assistance, in line with their competence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that Romanian citizens may request consular assistance at the phone numbers of the Romanian Embassy in Brussels: +32 (0)2 347 5338, +32 (0)2 343 6935, +32 (0)2 344 1658, with the calls being redirected to the Contact and Support Center for Romanian Citizens Abroad and handled by Call Center operators on a 24/7 basis.

Romanian citizens facing a difficult, special or emergency situation also have at their disposal the mission's emergency number: +32 (0)497 428663.

The fire at a construction site at the Oxy building on Place de Brouckère - a multifunctional complex in central Brussels that had been undergoing renovation - has killed several people and left others missing, Belgian authorities cited by Euronews said.

The blaze erupted in the morning and was seemingly quickly under control, but the flames caused damage to two elevator shafts before reaching an underground section of the building, igniting a second fire and complicating rescue efforts. Two of the lifts plunged, killing those inside.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said he was 'horrified' by the tragedy.

An investigation has been opened by the Labour Inspectorate, the section of the public prosecutor's office responsible for ensuring compliance with labour legislation and social rights. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)