Seven people have died in an explosion at an Applegreen service station, it has been confirmed.
Emergency services scrambled to the incident at the premises on the N56 at Creeslough, in Co Donegal, on Friday afternoon, October 7. On Saturday morning, An Garda Síochána issued a statement confirming there had been seven fatalities.
The search and recovery for further fatalities continues as eight people have been taken to hospital for treatment since yesterday. The blast destroyed the building and a section of an apartment building.
READ MORE: At least three people dead in Creeslough Applegreen explosion
The statement read: "An Garda Síochána continue to work with other Emergency Services at the scene of a serious ongoing incident that occurred at approximately 3:20pm on Friday, 7th October, 2022, at a premises on the N56 at Creeslough, County Donegal.
"Donegal County Council Fire Services, An Garda Síochána, the HSE National Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene in a search and recovery phase of this operation.
"An Garda Síochána can now confirm seven fatalities as a result of this incident (three fatalities were confirmed yesterday; four fatalities are now confirmed overnight). The search and recovery for further fatalities continues.
"Eight persons were transferred to hospital for medical attention yesterday.
"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. Traffic diversions remain in place at this time."
In a statement on Twitter, Applegreen said: "We are deeply saddened & shocked to learn the devastating news that lives have been lost in today’s tragic incident at Creeslough in Co Donegal. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families & friends of the deceased, those who have been injured, and the wider Creeslough community.
"Creeslough is a small village and the supermarket and Applegreen outlet operated by our local partners there are at the heart of the community. Like the rest of Ireland, tonight we stand in solidarity with that community."
Creeslough is about 15 miles from Letterkenny and 30 miles from the border with Northern Ireland. NIFRS Specialist Rescue Team and other Fire & Rescue Service personnel continue to assist the search and rescue.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance service along with K9 Search and Rescue NI and Search and Rescue Dog Association Ireland North also attended the scene.
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