Ten people are dead and eight casualties are being treated in hospital after an explosion at a service station in Co Donegal, Ireland, according to the National Police Service of Ireland (Garda). A young girl and two teenagers are among the confirmed fatalities, the force said, with a search and recovery operation continuing.
The blast took place on 7 October at the Applegreen service station on the outskirts of Creeslough. No indication has been given on the suspected cause of the explosion at the forecourt, where there are several apartments above the service station's shop.
A search operation is currently underway, with officials using sniffer dogs to search for people feared missing. The death toll is expected to rise.
Irish premier Micheal Martin went on Twitter to send his condolences to families and friends of those who lost their life, as well as to the entire community of Creeslough, on what he called the "darkest of days" for Donegal and Ireland.
Large parts of the facade of the upstairs apartment complex appeared to have been ripped off by the blast, with the roof collapsing. Several cars were damaged by masonry propelled by the force of the blast.