Gardaí have now confirmed that 10 people, including children, have died following an explosion at a service station in Creeslough, Co. Donegal yesterday (Friday, October 7).
The fatalities include four men, three women, two teenagers (a boy and girl), and a younger girl.
Gardaí said that, based on information available to them, it is not expected that there will be any further casualties, and there are no outstanding reports of persons unaccounted for.
Gardaí said the emergency response, which includes services from across the island, to the explosion will continue throughout today at the site which included an Applegreen service station and a number of other buildings.
“Donegal County Council Fire Services, An Garda Síochána, the HSE National Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene in a search and recovery phase of this operation”.
Eight people have also been taken to hospital.
Letterkenny University Hospital said it had moved to major emergency standby status in order to deal with “multiple injured” people.
Political and community leaders throughout the country have continued to offer their sympathies and support to families in Creeslough who have been impacted by the explosion.
President Michael D Higgins today said that the tragedy was “a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit”.
President Higgins said every loss and injury would be felt by every member of the community and far beyond.
“All of our thoughts must go out to all of those who have been affected. Those who have received news of the loss of a loved one, those injured and, most of all, those who are waiting with anxiety for news of their loved ones.
Special tribute must be paid to those members of the local community and emergency services across the island who have reacted so swiftly to the scene of the explosion and have continued to work through the night.”
The president added that “all of our best thoughts and prayers go to those who have lost their lives and their families.”
The Irish forecourt retailer, Applegreen, has also expressed its sympathies to the Co. Donegal community.