A major search operation continues after three people died in an explosion at a service station in Co Donegal, Ireland.
The blast happened shortly after 3pm on Friday at Applegreen service station on the outskirts of Creeslough, where a search operation is ongoing with the help of sniffer dogs.
Photos showed a number of cars damaged by the debris, with what appears to be a block of flats behind the forecourt largely destroyed.
Search efforts continued for others who were feared missing and the major emergency response operation, involving first responders on both sides of the Irish border, was expected to continue through the night.
Among those who gathered at the scene as sniffer dogs worked through the debris were family members of people believed to be in the building at the time.
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin said it was “the darkest day” for Donegal and Ireland.
“My thoughts and prayers are today with those who lost their lives and those injured in the devastating Creeslough explosion,” the Taoiseach said.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and friends, and to the entire community of Creeslough, in these darkest days for Donegal and the whole country.
“The people of this island will be numbed by the same sense of utter shock and devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life.
“I would like to thank all the members of the emergency services, from across the North West and Northern Ireland, who responded so quickly to the scene and who are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic”.
Ireland’s police force, An Garda Siochana, said: “At this time, An Garda Siochana can confirm that there have been three fatalities as a result of this serious incident.
“This remains an ongoing operation and An Garda Siochana are not in a position to provide any further information about the victims at this time.”
“Everyone here is completely asleep”
Councilor John O’Donnell previously told Sky News: “This is very, very tough here in a small rural town.
“Everyone is completely asleep here; we’re all in shock.”
A spokesman for University Hospital Letterkenny said shortly after the explosion that it was “dealing with a serious incident, with multiple injuries requiring immediate attention”.
“The hospital has been moved to major emergency standby status as it deals with this incident.
“We appeal to the public not to come to the Emergency Department unless it is an emergency.”
Retailer Applegreen confirmed there was a “serious incident” at one of the locations operated by the retailer.
“This is your worst nightmare”
TD Pearse Doherty said people were still trapped in the building on Friday evening as emergency services worked to clear debris from the area.
He told RTE News: “This is your worst nightmare. This is a quiet town, a tight-knit town, this is the only shop in town.
“He tore this building apart and this was a very busy place at the time.”
Doherty said it had left “a very, very dark cloud” over the community.
He said: “Silent prayers are being said, people are still trapped in the building and emergency services are doing everything they can to clear the debris and people are being airlifted to our hospitals in the region.
“It’s just quiet, it’s surreal. People are just holding on to hope, holding on to hear news, positive news coming from the emergency services.”
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar described the incident as “tragic”.
In a post on Twitter, Varadkar wrote: “Terrible news from Donegal tonight. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic events and with the emergency services responding.”
Residents have been asked to stay away from the area.