At least three people have died following an explosion and fire at a block of flats in Jersey with a desperate search being carried out for survivors.
The island's Chief Minister Kristina Moore confirmed the death toll had risen as a result of the blast, which happened shortly before 4am. Around a dozen people are still missing.
Less than nine hours earlier, at 8.36pm last night, fire crews had attended the scene after residents reported smelling gas.
Jersey police chief Robin Smith said that around 12 people are still unaccounted for, describing it as a scene of "complete devastation".
He said that emergency services would continue to search the site through the night, with search and rescue specialists and search dogs assisting.
The police chief said the explosion and fire in St Helier is a "protracted" incident, and will go on for "days, maybe weeks".
He said "in the region of around a dozen people" are missing, adding: "My hope, of course, is that the number is a lot less."
He told a press conference: "This is a protracted incident and this is going to go on for days, maybe weeks, and therefore it is important to have resources to continue to keep going."
Paul Brown, chief fire officer, said the search will continue all night, with specialists flown into Jersey to examine the scene of the explosion in St Helier.
He said that fire crews attended the scene last night, telling reporters: "I can confirm the fire and rescue service did attend at 20.36 yesterday evening... I know that they did conduct an investigation but at the moment what I'm focused on is the emergency response."
Mr Brown said: "The plan is that we will continue searching and we have no other plan at this stage.
"We are just continuing to search and most of our efforts at the moment are about organisation and logistics of securing the right support at the right time, and making sure that the right equipment arrives in the right sequence."
He later added: "The area is being lit and teams will be working tonight, all night, and we will not stop for the time being."
People across the island were woken by the huge blast, which left debris strewn across the surrounding area as the building crumbled.
Two people, described by police as "walking wounded", were taken to hospital.
Melody Wiseman, 27, who lives in a fifth floor flat across the harbour was woken by the noise and shaking of the fearsome explosion.
She said: "I was woken up by this massive, massive bang and the whole flat was just shaking, I was freaking out, I had no idea what was happening.
"I held onto the bed because the flat was shaking so much.
"There is a new block of flats being built next door and I was worried it was falling down, or it could have been an earthquake, it sounded that loud. I was too shaken up to go to the window and look out.
"If I had gone on the balcony I'd have seen a lot of flames, so I'm glad I didn't as I can't get the noise of it out of my head, I'm still freaked out by it."
Her partner Callum Thorne, 31, added: "This morning I saw a line of about six ambulances, three fire trucks - I've never seen so many emergency service vehicles lined up like that, so when I saw that I knew something serious had happened.
"It's awful to hear someone has died and there's potentially others under the rubble."
The police said in a statement earlier today: "Following the explosion this morning at Haut du Mont, Pier Road, a number of residents are still missing.
"Emergency services are working at the scene and have commenced a surface search of the site.
"Relatives are being contacted by Family Liaison Officers."
