Ten dead and eight still in hospital following Creeslough explosion as search operation ends
Emergency services continue their work at the scene of an explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have now been confirmed dead. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Two teenagers and a young child are among 10 people confirmed dead after an explosion at a Donegal petrol station.
Gardaí have said that the search operation at the scene of the Creeslough explosion in Donegal has now concluded, and no further casualties have been located.
In an updated statement gardaí have confirmed 10 fatalities arising from the explosion, four men, three women, two teenagers (one male and one female) and a young girl. A further eight people continue to receive treatment in hospital, they have also stated.
Gardaí are continuing to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Garda Technical Bureau have commenced an examination of the scene, with assistance from other expert agencies including the health and safety authority and national utility companies,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“The local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified, and post-mortem examinations will take place over the coming days.
“Garda family liaison officers have been appointed and are providing support and information to those impacted by this incident.
“An incident room has been established at Milford Garda Station."
Local traffic diversions remain in place.
Friday afternoon's explosion ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store, as well as adjacent buildings.
Gardaí said it believed the cause of the explosion was accidental.
A major emergency recovery operation involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border extended through the night on Friday and into Saturday.
At a media conference in Milford, Co Donegal, on Saturday afternoon, Garda press spokesman Liam Geraghty said: "The emergency services continue a search and recovery operation at the site this afternoon, but based on the information available to An Garda Siochána at this time, it is not expected that there will be any further casualties located and there are no outstanding reports of unaccounted for persons.
"The 10 casualties are four men, three women, two teenagers — a boy and girl — and a younger girl.
"The thoughts of all the emergency service personnel who have attended the scene over the last 24 hours, the local community in Creeslough, and the nation are today with the deceased and their families."
Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Garda Station added: "At this point in time, we have to keep an open mind in how we investigate this, but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident."
All 10 victims were from the Creeslough area.
Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said the company was "utterly shocked and saddened" by the "tragic" incident in Creeslough.
Mr Barrett said: "Yesterday was a very dark day for Creeslough, for Donegal, for Ireland, and for all of us in the wider Applegreen family.
"This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough."
It is understood that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to visit the area tonight.
The HSE has said that their Psychosocial Response team remain present in Creeslough to provide counselling support to those who have been affected, and that they will continue to offer services in the coming days.
"Each bereaved family will be offered the contact details of an identified support person," a spokesperson said.
An Post have announced that they are launching a special community support fund that will help those who have been impacted locally, including those who have become homeless due to the explosion.
"An Post will accept donations for a special Creeslough Community Support Fund at all its 920 Post Offices nationwide from this Monday, October 10.
"All donations by cash or debit card will be channelled through the Irish Red Cross to provide practical support and services to all those who have been bereaved, injured or made homeless by Friday’s tragedy. There will be no fee payable for making donations," a spokesperson said.
An Post and the Irish Red Cross are working with State service providers and local groups to ensure that supports are available to all those who need them in the weeks and months ahead.
