Families held each other closer on Monday night as hundreds of people attended a vigil in Derry to pay their respects to the victims of the Creeslough tragedy.
Ten people - including a five-year-old child and her father - died in an explosion at Co Donegal Applegreen Service Station and apartment block on Friday afternoon (October 7).
The huge blast claimed the lives of 10 local people who were named by police on Sunday.
Read more: 'She was my little gem' says dad of girl killed in Creeslough tragedy
Those who died were Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Robert Garwe, 50, and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe; 14-year-old Leona Harper; Jessica Gallagher, 24; James O'Flaherty, 48; Martin McGill, 49; Martina Martin, 49, and 59-year-old Hugh Kelly.
One of the victims, Jessica Gallagher, was due to begin a new job in Belfast today. The Co Donegal woman had a promising career ahead, having studied fashion at the International Fashion Academy in Paris and in Shanghai.
Police said a man in his 20s remains in a critical condition at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. Several others involved in the incident remain in a stable condition at Letterkenny University Hospital.
The vigil, held at the Guildhall, was one of many vigils held across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said the people of Derry were "heartbroken" at the events that had transpired in Co Donegal over the weekend.
She said: "I want to thank everybody for coming along this evening. I am really delighted to see so many people that have come out tonight. I think we've all been touched by the sadness and the grief of the last couple of days and we are all here to send our love, solidary and strength to our friends and neighbours in Creeslough, Co Donegal.
"As the news broke over the weekend, we were all heartbroken and all have some connection or some story in relation to Creeslough.
"We have so many connections with Donegal. Derry and Donegal, North West City Region, we are just one people. I am just really glad that so many people have come out.
"Our hearts are sore for the victim’s families and the wider community in Creeslough for their terrible loss. It’s a small rural community and for a tragedy of this magnitude to happen is just unthinkable.
"On behalf of the people of Derry City and Strabane District, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to all those affected. I also want to acknowledge the work of the emergency services and the volunteers from both sides of the border who came together to work tirelessly all weekend as part of the rescue operation.”
Throughout the vigil, Allegri and the Rosemount Male Voice Choir provided hymns, while a poem 'Go Rest High on that Mountain' was written and read by local man Frank Galligan.
Meanwhile, open a Book of Condolence has also been oped at the Guildhall to allow the public to express their sympathy.
An online Book of Condolence can also be found HERE.
Read next:
- The people who lost their lives named
Girl, 5, and dad killed in Creeslough explosion as more victims named
Creeslough tragedy dead named as families and friends pay tribute
Derry man to take on 12th marathon in memory of his beloved aunts
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