Seven people now confirmed dead after the gas station explosion in Donegal.
Eight more people are being treated in hospital for their injuries as a major search by emergency workers on both sides of Irish border continued of devastated site in village of Crislow.
Explosion on Friday afternoon ripped apart Applegreen service station and convenience store causing widespread damage, including to surrounding buildings and vehicles.
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin called it “darkest of days” for Donegal and Ireland.
An Irish police statement said: “Garda Siochana can now confirm seven dead as result of this incident – three dead were confirmed yesterday; four deaths per night have now been confirmed.
“Search and recovery for further deaths continue.
“Eight were hospitalized. for Yesterday I asked for medical help.
Mr Martin said “Today my thoughts and prayers with those who died and the wounded in destructive explosion in Crislow.
“I wish express my deepest condolences to their family and friends and to all community of Crislow, on this is darkest of days for Donegal and the whole country.
“People on this island will be overwhelmed by the same feeling of shock and complete devastation people of Creeslough in this tragic loss of life.
“I would like thank all participants of emergency services from across the North West and Northern Ireland, who responded so quickly to the scene, and who work all night in extremely traumatic circumstances.”
Adviser John O’Donnell told Sky News: “It’s very, very hard here in a small rural village.
“Here everyone is completely numb – we just all in shock”.
