Seven people have been confirmed as dead after an explosion at a petrol station in Ireland.
The blast ripped through the Applegreen service station in Creeslough, Co Donegal, as well as the convenience store and other nearby buildings. In a statement, Irish Police An Garda Siochana said a search and recovery operation for “further fatalities” was continuing, following the explosion yesterday afternoon (Friday October 7).
“An Garda Siochana can now confirm seven fatalities as a result of this incident – three fatalities were confirmed yesterday; four fatalities are now confirmed overnight,” the statement read.
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“The search and recovery for further fatalities continues. Eight persons were transferred to hospital for medical attention yesterday.”
The Garda has not provided any information on the suspected cause of the explosion. Among those gathered at the scene cordon last night were relatives of people believed to have been in the buildings at the time.
Sniffer dogs are being used amid the rubble. At one point on Friday night all machinery was turned off and onlookers were asked to remain completely silent as rescue workers attempted to detect survivors beneath the debris.
Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin described Friday the “darkest of days” for Donegal and Ireland.
“My thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion in Creeslough,” he said. "I wish to express my deepest sympathies to their family, and friends, and to the entire community of Creeslough, on this darkest of days for Donegal and the entire country."
“People across this island will be numbed by the same sense of shock and utter devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life. I would like to thank all the members of the emergency services, from across the North-West and Northern Ireland, who responded so quickly to the scene, and who are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic circumstances.”
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