Tributes are being paid to the 10 victims of a devastating fatal explosion at a petrol station in Ireland.
Friday’s blast at the service station in Creeslough, a small village in northwest Ireland, is being treated by police as a “tragic accident”.
The huge explosion claimed the lives of four men, three women, two teenagers – a boy and girl – and a girl of primary school age.
The names of some of those killed have begun to emerge.
Talented teenage rugby player Leona Harper; Jessica Gallagher, who was understood to have been in her early 20s; shop worker Martina Martin; Catherine O’Donnell and her son James; and Hughie Kelly, have all been named locally as among those who died.
Four others, including the young primary school pupil, were also killed.
Ireland’s premier, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who visited the site of the explosion on Saturday evening, said the entire nation was mourning following the tragedy.
Martin spoke to members of the emergency services who worked for 24 hours to locate victims.
Irish police believe the blast that ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store and adjoining buildings was accidental.
All of the 10 victims were from the wider Creeslough area.
A further eight people injured in the explosion remained in hospital on Saturday.
The lengthy search and recovery operation concluded on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking at the cordon around the blast site, Martin said there was “deep sadness” in the village and a “terrible silence” reflecting the enormity of what has happened.
“The entire nation is mourning and deeply saddened,” he said.
“A young child in the shop and two teens, as well as men and women who were going about their lives as well.
“It is a very close-knit community and our heart goes out to them.
“Talking to those on the front line and everyone involved, they were very moved by the extraordinary support they got from the community here almost immediately.
“Many volunteers rushed to the scene to try and do everything they could to help because it was an horrific scene they came upon and we must always remember our emergency services.”
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Ireland’s main opposition party, also visited Creeslough on Saturday evening, as did the country’s deputy premier, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.
The political leaders later joined emergency service members and local residents for a service for the victims at a nearby church.
The major rescue and recovery operation involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border, and many volunteers from within the local community, extended through the night on Friday and into Saturday.
“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,” Garda Superintendent David Kelly said.
Get the latest news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
