Tributes have flooded in for a teenage girl who was among the 10 people killed in an explosion at an Irish petrol station.
Leona Harper, a beloved sister and talented rugby player, lost her life following yesterday's blast at the Applegreen Service Station in County Donegal, Ireland.
Her death was announced by her brother, Anthony, and local rugby club on Saturday evening.
Letterkenny Rugby Club wrote on Facebook: "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 heartbroken brother shared a picture of them together on Facebook.
He wrote: "I don't know where to begin, Leona I couldn't have asked for a better little sister.
"You would go mad for me putting this up of you now because it's an old picture of you.
"Leona I love you so much and we all love you so much xx."
A 23-year-old woman has also been named as one of the 10 people killed in the explosion.
Jessica Gallagher, a former design student, and her boyfriend reportedly lived in a flat above the petrol station.
She died in yesterday's blast, which also injured her boyfriend, who is understood to be in hospital.
A friend told MailOnline: "Jessica was a lovely girl, she grew up in Creeslough and went to school here.
"She had a lot of friends, who are understandably distraught at the news."
Her relative, John, also wrote on Facebook: "R.I.P. I'm sure you're all heard about the gas explosion in Creeslough.
"Unfortunately our cousin Anthony Gallagher has lost his daughter Jessica in the explosion.
"Jessica was in the same year at school as my daughter Flonnuala.
"Our thoughts are with her parents and two sisters and also with all the friends and families of all the other victims of this disaster."
Catherine O'Donnell and her 14-year-old son James, a dad and his five-year-old daughter, and a local farmer in his 60s are also understood to have been killed in the blast.
The explosion - of which the cause is believed to be accidental - ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store and adjacent buildings.
A major recovery operation involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border extended through the night and into today.
Emergency services do not expect to recover any further victims from the rubble and there are no outstanding missing person reports.
All 10 victims were from the Creeslough area.
A five-year-old girl and her dad who had been buying a birthday cake for her mum were also among those who died, it is reported.
A family friend said: "Her mother is absolutely devastated, the whole family are."
At a media conference in Milford, Co Donegal on Saturday 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 added: "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."
Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said the company was "utterly shocked and saddened" by the "tragic" incident in Creeslough.
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."
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."
Irish premier Micheal Martin also visited the scene.
"I think the entire nation is shocked at what has happened, it's an unspeakable tragedy," the Taoiseach told reporters in Cork.
"Our thoughts and our prayers, our hearts go out to the people of Creeslough, to the families of those who have lost their lives and who have been injured, and to the entire community who are numbed and shocked by what has happened.
"It's very, very difficult to comprehend as people go about their daily lives, that something like this could happen in the middle of the day.
"It's been extraordinarily difficult and traumatic for people as they've had long waits, huge anxiety and stress, waiting for news of their loved ones."
Mr Martin pledged support for the community in Creeslough to help it get through the "enormous trauma".
He also paid tribute to the emergency services personnel including those from Northern Ireland who "at times in danger" rescued people and did everything they could to comfort people.
"That will be long remembered," he said. "That solidarity and that sense of strong community between the essential services."
Prayers were said in the local church in Creeslough on Saturday morning for all those suffering.
The congregation at St Michael's Church heard there was a "tsunami" of grief in the community.
Fr John Joe Duffy said: "From our hearts, with all our hearts and with all our souls, we pray for those who have died, we pray for those who were injured, we pray for all who were involved ... we pray for those who are there continuing to help and have helped since yesterday.
"We pray also for those family members who are bereaved and we pray for those who still are waiting news.
"We keep them all very much in our hearts."
