Tributes have been paid to some of the 10 people killed in a horrific gas explosion in Ireland.
Emergency services descended on the Applegreen Service Station in County Donegal, Ireland, on Friday following the explosion. Tragically, 10 people - a five-year-old girl, four men, three women and two teenagers - died in the blast.
Police have said the blast was a 'freak accident'.
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Talented teenage rugby player Leona Harper has been named as one of the victims who lost her life, the Mirror reports. Her death was announced by her brother, Anthony, and local rugby club on Saturday evening.
Jessica Gallagher, a 23-year-old former design student, has also been named as a victim, along with Catherine O'Donnell and her 14-year-old son, James. Other victims who died are understood to be a girl, 5, her dad and a local farmer in his 60s.
Paying tribute to Leona, Letterkenny Rugby Club wrote: "We are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Leona Harper tragically lost her life yesterday in Creeslough.
"Leona was a talented rugby player and an important part of our U14 girls team.
"To Leona's parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers Anthony and Jamie, and all of her team mates, we offer you our deepest condolences and support.
"There are no words that feel strong enough at a moment of deep sorrow such as this. Rest in peace, Leona."
Her brother also shared a picture in tribute, saying he "couldn't have asked for a better little sister".
He wrote: "Leona I love you so much and we all love you so much."
Photos from the scene showed a two-storey apartment block above the petrol station's store with walls blown out and a partially collapsed roof, and debris scattered across the forecourt where several cars were parked.
On Friday evening, sniffer dogs were brought to the rubble in a bid to find people still stuck under the debris, while injured people were being airlifted from the scene.
At one stage, rescue crews asked onlookers to remain silent as they switched off machinery and listened out for anyone still trapped in the wreckage.
Overnight eight casualties were rushed to hospital and a further four people were confirmed dead.
But by Saturday afternoon, emergency crews and political figures raised fears the death toll would keep rising as the rescue mission turned into a search and recovery operation.
Police believe the cause of the explosion was accidental, and said it is the largest number of civilian casualties seen in decades in the region.
At a media conference this afternoon, Garda press spokesman Liam Geraghty said: "The emergency services continue a search and recovery operation at the site this afternoon but based on the information available to An Garda Siochana at this time it is not expected that there will be any further casualties located and there are no outstanding reports of unaccounted for persons.
"The 10 casualties are four men, three women, two teenagers - a boy and girl - and a younger girl.
"The thoughts of all the emergency service personnel who have attended the scene over the last 24 hours, the local community in Creeslough and the nation are today with the deceased and their families."
Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Garda station said: "At this point in time we have to keep an open mind in how we investigate this but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident."
Emergency services do not expect to recover any further victims from the rubble and there are no outstanding missing person reports.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "It's very difficult for the families concerned in the community. We are with them and will be with them for the time ahead.
"A shocking toll and there will be more, and it's a search operation now and we hope and pray.
"It has been a very, very terrible 24 hours for them as news of this explosion arrived.
"There was people in the vicinity. They've had a lot of anxiety and stress and they're waiting and waiting for news.
"The (emergency) services, and I've been talking to them, have been really, really courageous and have given great support.
"Many families will go through and are going through a terrible trauma right now and we have to rally around and I know the community will rally around, I know all the people in the vicinity of the community that will rally around."
He described it as one of the "darkest days" for Ireland.
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, expressed his shock at the "terrible tragedy".
"All of our thoughts must go out to all of those who have been affected," he said.
"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.
"This tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit and where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond."
Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said the company was "utterly shocked and saddened" by the "tragic" incident.
Mr Barrett said: "Yesterday was a very dark day for Creeslough, for Donegal, for Ireland, and for all of us in the wider Applegreen family.
"This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough."
All 10 victims of the explosion, which destroyed an apartment complex attached to the shop, were from the Creeslough area.
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