Rescue crews and onlookers fell silent as they tried to listen out for victims still trapped underneath the rubble of a exploded petrol station in Ireland.
The explosion happened at the Applegreen Service Station on the outskirts of the village of Creeslough, County Donegal, Ireland, just after 3pm on Friday.
Irish Police confirmed that the death toll had risen to nine by Saturday morning, but fears are that it will continue to rise as the operation turns into a search and recovery mission.
At one point on Friday night, all machinery was turned off and onlookers were asked to remain silent as rescue workers attempted to detect survivors beneath the debris.
Sniffer dogs were also brought to the scene in a bid to help find people still trapped.
Pictures of the wreckage showed cars completely destroyed by debris from nearby apartments and the shop was also severely damaged in the blast.
Irish premier Micheal Martin said it was the "darkest of days" for Donegal and Ireland.
The Taioseach also said he expected the death toll to rise as it turns to a search and recovery effort.
"It's very difficult for the families concerned in the community. We are with them and will be with them for the time ahead," he said.
"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.
"It's very difficult for the families concerned in the community. We are with them and will be with them for the time ahead," he said.
"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."
A major emergency response operation involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border extended through the night and continued on Saturday morning.
Rubble was being moved onto trailers and hauled from the scene.
Two rescue workers were on a raised platform above the site of the explosion and a digger was working through the debris.
Among those gathered at the cordon on Friday night were relatives of people believed to have been in the buildings at the time.
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."
Overnight on Friday, another eight people were rescued and rushed to hospital, while six more died as a result of their injuries.
