A massive explosion occurs at a petrol station in County Donegal, Ireland. Several adjacent buildings are damaged, some severely. Ten people die. The police assume an accident.
The death toll from an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal, Ireland, has risen to ten. The explosion was probably a "tragic accident". A police spokesman said. However, the investigation is ongoing and a "holistic approach" is being taken to determine the cause. According to the police, no other people were missing and no further victims are expected.
On Friday, there were initially three and later seven deaths. Eight people are said to have been taken to hospital with injuries. According to reports, more people were missing, but survivors are no longer expected.
The rescue workers, who rushed in in large numbers, were presented with a picture of the destruction. The gas station and several adjacent buildings were partially badly damaged, as can be seen in photos. The blast destroyed the gas station building, which houses the village's main shop and post office, and damaged an adjacent residential building.
As "abcnews" reports, sniffer dogs combed through the rubble and a mechanical excavator lifted piles of rubble from the construction site. It was initially unclear what triggered the enormous explosion in the small village of Creeslough on Friday.
Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin expressed his condolences to the relatives and those affected. Irish President Michael D. Higgins called the incident a "tragedy that comes as a terrible blow to a close-knit community where every loss and hurt is felt by everyone and far beyond." It was one of the "darkest days for Donegal and the whole country".
Agriculture Secretary Charlie McConalogue, who represents Donegal in the Irish Parliament, said the service station was known across the country for its prominent location on the main N56 road and was "the heart" of the local community. "People are shocked and stunned," he told Irish broadcaster RTE. "People have joined together and everyone is concerned about the families of those who have lost loved ones and how to support them in the days to come."
