Brussels, Belgium - In a shocking turn of events, the entire crew of the beloved Tintin comic series has been reported missing and presumed dead after a "catastrophic explosion" at the publisher's headquarters.
Live updates from the scene indicate that the explosion occurred in the basement of the building, where the Tintin archives were kept. Eyewitnesses report seeing smoke and debris flying out of the windows, and several nearby buildings were also damaged in the blast.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion, but early reports suggest that it may have been caused by a faulty gas line. However, conspiracy theorists are already speculating that the explosion was a deliberate act of sabotage by Tintin's arch-nemesis, the villainous Rastapopoulos.
The news of the missing Tintin crew has sent shockwaves through the comic book community, with fans and fellow creators alike expressing their condolences and disbelief on social media.
"This is a tragic loss for the entire industry," tweeted comic book writer Neil Gaiman. "Tintin was a cultural icon and a source of inspiration for generations of readers. We will never forget his daring adventures and his faithful dog Snowy."
Others have taken a more lighthearted approach to the news, with memes and jokes flooding Twitter and Instagram. One popular meme features a photoshopped image of Tintin and his friends floating in space, with the caption "Tintin and the Missing Crew: The Search for a New Adventure."
Despite the tragedy, some fans are already speculating about the future of the Tintin franchise. Will a new team of writers and artists take over the series? Will Tintin finally defeat Rastapopoulos once and for all? Only time will tell.
For now, all we can do is mourn the loss of Tintin and his crew, and remember the joy and excitement they brought to so many readers around the world.
