Gardaí have now confirmed that 10 people, including children, have died following an explosion at a service station in Creeslough, Co. Donegal yesterday (Friday, October 7).
The fatalities include four men, three women, two teenagers (a boy and girl), and a younger girl.
Gardaí said that, based on information available to them, it is not expected that there will be any further casualties, and there are no outstanding reports of persons unaccounted for.
Gardaí said the emergency response, which includes services from across the island, to the explosion will continue throughout today at the site which included an Applegreen service station and a number of other buildings.
K9 SAR NI were requested yesterday afternoon, to attend the Applegreen Filling Station in #Cresslough, County #Donegal, to support the multi-agency response to an #incident
— K9 Search & Rescue NI (@k9sarni) October 8, 2022
This is an ongoing incident, our thoughts are very much with family, friends & community of those involved pic.twitter.com/DDg0eNWN8v
Gardaí and Emergency Services remain at the scene of an ongoing serious incident in Creeslough, Co. Donegal. Traffic diversions remain in place this morning. Road users intending to travel to the Creeslough area are asked to consider alternative routes, until informed otherwise. pic.twitter.com/ZDlY8UAaS4
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 8, 2022
Eight people have also been taken to hospital.
Letterkenny University Hospital said it had moved to major emergency standby status in order to deal with "multiple injured" people.
Political and community leaders throughout the country have continued to offer their sympathies and support to families in Creeslough who have been impacted by the explosion.
President Michael D Higgins today said that the tragedy was "a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit".
President Higgins said every loss and injury would be felt by every member of the community and far beyond.
The president added that "all of our best thoughts and prayers go to those who have lost their lives and their families."
The Irish forecourt retailer, Applegreen, has also expressed its sympathies to the Co. Donegal community.
We are deeply saddened & shocked to learn the devasting 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
— Applegreen (@goapplegreen) October 7, 2022