The death toll has risen to ten people, including a young child and two teenagers, after an explosion at a petrol station in Ireland.
A blast on Friday afternoon ripped through an Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough, Co Donegal. A search and recovery operation is ongoing as rescue workers attempt to locate several people who are still missing.
Irish police have said four men, three women, a teenage girl, a teenage boy and a girl of primary school age were killed. Eight people were transferred to hospital on Friday. The Garda has not provided any information on the suspected cause of the explosion.
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A major emergency recovery operation involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border extended through the night and into Saturday.
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. We are utterly shocked and saddened at what happened yesterday. I would also like to offer our thanks to the emergency services and first responders who are dealing with the incident.
“We have been working with our local partners in Creeslough since 2014. We are providing them with assistance and support locally at this very difficult time.
The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins expressed his shock at the “terrible tragedy”. He said: “All of our thoughts must go out to all of those who have been affected.
“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.”
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