Blast at Petrol Station in Ireland Leaves at Least Ten Dead

Emergency services and local volunteers from both sides of the Irish border worked overnight searching for possible survivors in the rubble from the blast that took place on Friday in the small village of Creesloug in County Donegal, Ireland.

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.

Gardaí and Emergency Services remain at the scene of an ongoing serious incident in Creeslough, Co. Donegal. Traffic diversions remain in place this morning. Road users intending to travel to the Creeslough area are asked to consider alternative routes, until informed otherwise. pic.twitter.com/ZDlY8UAaS4

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 8, 2022

A search operation is currently underway, with officials using sniffer dogs to search for people feared missing. The death toll is expected to rise.

We are deeply saddened & shocked to learn the devasting news that lives have been lost in today’s tragic incident at Creeslough in Co Donegal. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families & friends of the deceased, those who have been injured, and the wider Creeslough community

— Applegreen (@goapplegreen) October 7, 2022

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.

My thoughts and prayers are tonight with the entire community of Creeslough following today’s devastating explosion.

Thinking too of all the emergency services, from across the north-west and NI working in very traumatic situation.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 7, 2022

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.