The death toll from an explosion at an Irish petrol station has risen to seven as search efforts continue for further victims. Friday afternoon’s blast in the village of Creeslough, Co Donegal, ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store and adjacent buildings.
Having announced three fatalities on Friday night, the Irish police force, An Garda Siochana, confirmed a further four deaths in a statement on Saturday morning. The Garda said a search and recovery operation for “further fatalities” was continuing.
“An Garda Siochana can now confirm seven fatalities as a result of this incident – three fatalities were confirmed yesterday; four fatalities are now confirmed overnight,” it said. “The search and recovery for further fatalities continues."
A number of people have been injured in the blast. The Garda added: “Eight persons were transferred to hospital for medical attention yesterday.”
A major emergency response operation involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border extended through the night. This was continuing on Saturday morning.
Among those gathered at the cordon on Friday night were relatives of people believed to have been in the buildings at the time. Sniffer dogs are being used amid the rubble. At one point on Friday night all machinery was turned off and onlookers were asked to remain completely silent as rescue workers attempted to detect survivors beneath the debris.
Irish premier Micheal Martin said Friday was the “darkest of days” for Donegal and Ireland. “My thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion in Creeslough,” said the Taoiseach.
“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to their family and friends, and to the entire community of Creeslough, on this darkest of days for Donegal and the entire country. People across this island will be numbed by the same sense of shock and utter devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life.
“I would like to thank all the members of the emergency services, from across the north west and Northern Ireland, who responded so quickly to the scene, and who are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic circumstances.”
Local priest John Joe Duffy said the community was “numb and devastated”. He said: “We’re just broken-hearted, everyone is broken-hearted, we’re lost for words.
“What I’m appealing for is for the prayers of the people across this county and across the country, to pray for us, to help us and to give us strength to get through these difficult hours and difficult days that may lay ahead.”
The Garda has not provided any information on the suspected cause of the explosion. Multiple emergency service vehicles remain at the scene.
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