Three people have died in the Donegal Applegreen explosion, gardai have confirmed.
A garda spokesperson said: "At this time, An Garda Síochána can confirm there has been three fatalities as a result of this serious incident.
"This continues to be an ongoing operation and An Garda Síochána are not in a position to provide further information on casualties at this time.
"An Garda Síochána continue to request that any road users intending to travel to the Creeslough area for any reason consider alternative routes as Emergency Services continue to deal with this ongoing incident."
A number of people are still believed to be "trapped" in the rubble inside the building, which also contained upstairs apartments.
The explosion happened at the Applegreen Service Station on the outskirts of the village of Creeslough just after 3pm.
Injured people are being airlifted from the scene with fears that there may be a number of fatalities.
Pictures from the scene show a major collapse at the premises, with the roof of the forecourt folded in on a number of cars as well as a large amount of fallen debris including bricks and shattered glass.
READ MORE: Donegal Applegreen explosion: 'Serious incident' declared with multiple people rushed to hospital
Donegal Independent councillor John O’Donnell told BBC Radio Ulster that he understands it was caused by a gas explosion.
He said the incident has left "a lot of people very seriously injured" although they don't yet know the number of casualties.
Local Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said that there are people who are still trapped inside but have managed to make contact with loved ones on the outside.
Speaking to RTE News, Mr Doherty said: "This is something that's your worst nightmare. This is a quiet village, a very close-knit village.
"This is the only shop in the town, it's the petrol station, it's the deli counter, it's the post office, it's where the hairdresser is, and at 3.15pm this afternoon a massive explosion - that could be heard for miles around - ripped right through this building.
"It's very sombre here, there's silent prayers being said.
"There are people still trapped inside the building and the emergency services are doing everything they can to remove the rubble and people are being airlifted away to hospitals in the region.
"This is a dark, dark cloud over the entire community of Creeslough as this scene unfolds before us."
It is not known how many people were in the shop or the upstairs apartments at the time of the explosion - which was heard from miles away.
Emergency services including fire brigades, ambulances and gardai remain at the scene of the major incident, with roads nearby being cordoned off. The Irish Coast Guard and the Mulroy Coast Guard team are also assisting the rescue operation.
Some people who were injured in the explosion have been airlifted from the scene and are now being treated at nearby hospitals.
A Major Emergency Plan has been sparked at Letterkenny University Hospital, 25km away, and they have drafted in more medical staff to assist with the operation.
A spokesperson for the hospital said: "Letterkenny University Hospital is dealing with a serious incident, with multiple injured people requiring immediate attention.
"The hospital has moved to Major Emergency Standby as it deals with this incident.
"We are appealing to the public not to come to the Emergency Department unless it is an emergency. Please contact your GP or NOW doc service in the first instance.
"NowDoc has increased staffing this evening to help deal with any additional demands."
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