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Seven dead in petrol station blast in Donegal | World News


Seven people have now been confirmed dead following an explosion at a gas station in Donegal.

Eight more people are being treated in hospital for their injuries as emergency workers from both sides of the Irish border continue to search the devastated site in the village of Creeslough.

The explosion on Friday afternoon tore through the Applegreen service station and convenience store, causing widespread damage, including surrounding buildings and cars.

Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin has described these as “the darkest days” for Donegal and Ireland.

Hounds were used in the rescue operation and a digger sifted through the debris, with the wreckage removed by trailer.

At one point on Friday night, all machinery was turned off and onlookers were told to remain completely silent as workers tried to spot survivors beneath the debris.

After announcing three deaths on Friday night, Irish police confirmed four more deaths in a statement on Saturday morning.

The force said a search and recovery operation for “additional casualties” is continuing.

No indications have been given of a suspicious cause of the explosion.

Mr Martin said: “My thoughts and prayers today are with those who lost their lives and those injured in the horrific explosion in Creeslough.

“I want to express my deepest sympathies to their families, friends and the entire Creeslough community, during these darkest days for Donegal and the country as a whole.

“People across this island will be paralyzed by the same sense of shock and devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss.

“I would like to thank all members of the emergency services, from across the North West and Northern Ireland, who responded so quickly at the scene and who were working through the night in extremely traumatic circumstances. “

Councilor John O’Donnell told Sky News: “This is very, very difficult here in a small rural village.

“Everybody here is completely numb – we are all shocked.”

Local priest John Joe Duffy said: “We’re just heartbroken, everyone’s heartbroken, we’re at a loss for words.

“What I’m calling for is the prayers of people across this county and across the country, pray for us, help us, and give us the strength to get through these difficult times and our difficult times. Hard days may be coming.”

Donegal Congressman Joe McHugh said the friends and family of those feared missing were going through a very difficult waiting period.

“We are just waiting here, my sympathies and thoughts are that with so many families here and their friends and loved ones, there is a very difficult time waiting right now.” I said.

Applegreen Ireland chief executive Fiona Matthews said the company was “deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the devastating news that left many people dead in today’s tragic incident”.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the deceased, the injured and the wider Creeslough community,” she said.

“Creeslough is a small village and the supermarket and Applegreen store run by our local partners there is the heart of the community.

“Like the rest of Ireland, tonight we stand in solidarity with that community.”

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