LAST UPDATE | 8 Oct 2022
WE’LL HAVE UPDATES on the response to the tragedy in Creeslough throughout the afternoon.
You can find our roundup piece from this morning here.
Emergency services are due to give a full briefing at Milford Garda Station – around 30 minutes from Creeslough – at 2.30pm this afternoon.
We’ll be covering that and anything else that happens this afternoon in this liveblog.
Updates today will be from Daragh Brophy, Tadgh McNally, Emer Moreau and Niall O’Connor. Our reporter at the scene in Donegal is Diarmuid Pepper.
Here’s what we know far:
Speaking to our reporter, local Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said there wouldn’t be anyone in the area who won’t know someone who has died.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has pledged supports for the community to help get through the “enormous trauma” following the fatal explosion.
“The community in Creeslough is going through an enormous trauma. And we have to do everything we possibly can to help the community come through this, day-by-day and in the time ahead,” he said.
“No words will console what has happened and console those who have lost loved ones as a result of this tragedy but we have to be there for them as a people and we have to do everything we can to help them to try and cope with this unspeakable tragedy.”
When asked what can be done by Government to help, Mr Martin said they would continue to “back up” local authority and health services.
“Whatever is required will be provided. And then in terms of counselling services, through childcare, through education, through family-based counselling, we will provide whatever services that are identified by the community as being necessary and that will help… cope with this.”
The Journal’s Diarmuid Pepper sent this from outside the cordon in Creeslough:
“That’s the Donegal spirit on show,” remarked a Garda at the scene as two girls in their late teens handed out teas and coffees to the emergency services.
Members of the emergency services are moving between the horrific scene of the explosion and the nearby Coffee Pod, which is acting as an impromptu hub for those involved in what is now a search and recovery operation.
A group of locals are lining the Garda cordon around the scene of the explosion – standing in sombre silence as the scale of the tragedy becomes apparent.
Others, including many teenagers, are trying to hold back tears as they’re consoled by friends and family.
More details on the number of fatalities, the scale of injuries and the cause of the explosion are expected at a press conference in nearby Milford, where I’ll be headed shortly.
Following their attendance at the scene yesterday and this morning, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has left Creeslough.
Paul Harper, the Deputy Chief Fire and Rescue Officer with NIFRS said that a specialist rescue team from Belfast and a command support unit from Strabane supported the Donegal Fire Service throughout the early hours of this morning.
“Working in partnership with our colleagues from Donegal Fire Service and with multiple statutory and voluntary organisations, this was a significant multi-agency and cross border response effort,” said Harper.
While NIFRS has left the scene, Harper said that they would remain available to assist again if required.
Statements in from Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan.
Varadkar said:
On Friday the nation’s collective heart stopped when the news broke. This unthinkable tragedy happened in a community which we will all be familiar with, to families who were going about their daily lives like we do. This freak accident has left many empty chairs at dinner tables. It is just too hard to fathom.The sadness is incomprehensible.
When something like this happens it’s almost impossible to absorb the horror of it. If there is any consolation, we can find it in the way that the community has rallied and come together.
The emergency services in Ireland and Northern Ireland have been heroic. Our hospitals are providing the best of care
This is only the beginning of the rescue. The effects will be felt for many years and we all have a role to play in providing whatever comfort we can.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have have lost loved ones, those recovering in hospital, the local community, and our emergency service personnel.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire orthu agus go dtuga Sé siochán dóibh.
Minister Ryan said:
I want to extend my deepest condolences and prayers to those who have lost their lives or who have been injured following the terrible event in Creeslough yesterday afternoon.My sympathies are with their families, friends and the entire community of Creeslough and Donegal, who have shown huge strength, resilience and unity over the past 24 hours in the face of tragedy.I also want to thank all the members of the emergency services who have responded so quickly to the scene and who have worked tirelessly to help and support people.The bustling petrol station and shop on a busy Friday afternoon is something that people in almost every town can identify with. This is a truly dark and awful event that has numbed the country.
This statement just in from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency:
Following the explosion at Creeslough in Donegal yesterday, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) activated their Crisis Management team yesterday to support the response by Donegal Fire Service.
Donegal Fire Service responded rapidly to the scene of the explosion, activating full Incident Command procedures and undertaking a very extensive search and rescue operation. The Northern Ireland Fire Service responded to assist Donegal Fire Service, deploying specialist Urban Search & Rescue assets to the scene to help locate and extricate casualties.
Donegal Fire Service have been working with the National Ambulance Service, the Irish Coast Guard, Civil Defence, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to locate and rescue persons trapped by fallen debris at the incident site. This operation is on-going.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said the NDFEM Crisis Management Team would continue to monitor the situation with Donegal County Council and provide any assistance necessary.
We have some photos of the scene at Creeslough here from our reporter Diarmuid Pepper, who is currently in Milford ahead of this afternoon’s press conference.
The press conference is due to get under way.
Gardai in Milford have confirmed ten fatalities from the explosion.
Four men, three women, a male and female teenager, and a young girl.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
The updated number of fatalities was confirmed by gardaí ahead of the press conference in Milford, which will be under way shortly.
The press conference will be from Garry Martin of Donegal County Council and fire service; JJ McGowan, chief ambulance officer; and David Kelly from Milford gardaí.
We’re still waiting for this press conference to begin.
As you’d imagine, there’s a major media presence at Milford this afternoon.
The press conference is now under way.
Ten people have died and the search and recovery operation is ongoing, it’s been confirmed by Superintendent Liam Geraghty of the Garda Press Office.
It is not expected any further fatalities will be confirmed today. There are no outstanding people missing from the locality, he said.
Ambulance and other emergency workers are now moving into a ‘search and check’ phase – the search and recovery operation has been scaled down, according to Garry Martin of Donegal County Council and fire service.
JJ McGowan, chief ambulance officer, said eight patients were transferred to hospital yesterday. One has since been transferred to Dublin.
There’s still a sizeable presence of ambulance workers at the scene, he said.
Counselling and support services have been made available in the locality.
David Kelly from Milford gardaí said the community had had support from agencies across the state and across the border.
Kelly said gardaí were keeping an open mind as to the cause of the blast – but that at the moment it was being regarded as a tragic accident.
Gardaí and the other emergency agencies aren’t expanding much on their initial prepared statments as they answer questions from reporters.
Liam Geraghty, from the Garda Press Office, said that first responders were met with a confused and fast-moving scene when they arrived in Creeslough yesterday afternoon.
Emergency workers are being provided with any counselling and support they need.
All bodies have been removed from the scene and have been taken to Letterkenny hospital. Post-mortems will be conducted at a later date.
Geraghty said it was “one of the largest civilian casualties’ in the State and the largest in the region.
Gardaí are not releasing information about the deceased, but said it is believed that all those who died were local to the area.
Of the eight hospitalised following the explosion, seven are in a stable condition this afternoon. One person is in a critical condition.
The press conference has now finished. Geraghty said there would likely be another update from them this evening.
The key points from the press conference:
Some photos from Creeslough and Milford, where the press conference took place.
As we reported from the press conference, authorities believe the Creeslough blast was “a tragic accident”.
Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Garda Station said that at present gardaí believe that it was an accidental blast but that the cause was the subject of an open investigation.
Sources have told The Journal that investigators believe the blast was caused by a gas leak inside the building, but emergency services did not comment on the matter when asked earlier this afternoon.
Niall O’Connor has the full story here.
Sources in Creeslough have told our reporter that the father of the five-year-old girl who died in the explosion was also among the deceased.
Locals are expected to gather for a church service again this evening.
As we reported earlier, emergency services are not expecting any further fatalities from the blast and there are no further people unaccounted for.
National Ambulance Service Director, Robert Morton, has issued the following statement in relation to the tragic events at Creeslough, Co Donegal on Friday 7 October. pic.twitter.com/MEdblhWmBV
— National Ambulance Service 🇮🇪🚑 (@AmbulanceNAS) October 8, 2022
“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to all of those who have been affected by the terrible tragedy that happened in Creeslough, Co. Donegal. Like many across the country, I’m stunned and saddened by the harrowing events that occurred yesterday.
“All of my thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, those recovering, and the local community of Creeslough.
“I would like to thank all the members of the community, National Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade and the staff of Letterkenny Hospital who responded with heroism and haste and tirelessly worked throughout the night in this devastating situation. I would also like to give special thanks to the staff of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance who came to the assistance of their colleagues,” he said.
It is understood that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to visit the Creeslough later this evening.
Gardaí have released a new statement on the progress of the emergency services operation at the scene in Creeslough.
“A total of ten fatalities have now been confirmed arising from this incident (four men, three women, two teenagers – one male and one female, and one younger female child). A further 8 people continue to receive treatment in hospital.
“A search operation at the scene has concluded and no further casualties have been located.
“The Garda Technical Bureau have commenced an examination of the scene, with assistance from other expert agencies including the health and safety authority and national utility companies,” the statement read.
Investigators are liaising with the local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified – post-mortem examinations will take place over the coming days.
Garda Family Liaison Officers have been appointed and are providing support and information to those impacted by this incident.
An incident room has been established at Milford Garda Station. Traffic diversions on the N56 at the scene of the incident remain in place.
An Post has announced that they will accept donations for a special Creeslough Community Support Fund at all of its 920 post offices nationwide from Monday.
“All donations by cash or debit card will be channelled through the Irish Red Cross to provide practical support and services to all those who have been bereaved, injured or made homeless by Friday’s tragedy. There will be no fee payable for making donations.
“Board, management and staff across Ireland send their deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to all those who have lost loved ones in the Cresslough tragedy, to those who are injured, to the Postmistress and Post Office staff and all the Creeslough community.
“An Post and the Irish Red Cross will work with State service providers and local groups to ensure that supports are available to all those who need them in the weeks and months ahead,” a statement from the company said.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived at Creeslough and is seen here meeting with the emergency services.
Our reporter in Creeslough Diarmuid Pepper has captured this video of the Taoiseach with locals in Creeslough.
Taoiseach Micheàl Martin shaking hands with the owners of a nearby home that was also damaged. Also greets Sinn Fèin’s Pearse Doherty. #Creeslough @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/9FtaFlIOSN
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) October 8, 2022
A HSE statement said that their teams are remain present in Creeslough providing counselling support to members of the community and will continue to provide this presence over the coming days.
“Each bereaved family will be offered the contact details of an identified support person.
“Wider community support services will be available over the coming weeks and months as required.
“Services can be accessed by contacting your GP in the first instance.The HSE Psycho Social Response Team continue to work in partnership with the Emergency Response Team, Gardaí, County Council, NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service) and the wider community groups in response to this tragic incident,” the statement said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the great loss of life in Creeslough will have an “enormous” impact on the community.
Speaking to RTÉ News as he visited the scene in Co Donegal, Martin also praised the emergency workers who had worked tirelessly for the last 24 hours.
“When one comes to the scene and the Applegreen site, one is greeted with a terrible sadness, reflecting an enormous loss on a scale that no-one can comprehend,” the Taoiseach said.
“The loss of life is great, the impact on this community is enormous and we have to do everything we possibly can to be with the community and to support the community.
“I just met with many members of the emergency services, the Gardaí, the coast guard, the Civil Defence, the firefighters.
“They spoke very movingly about the volunteers, the people from the community who worked incredibly long hours with them to rescue people, to take rubble from the scene.
“But they’re saddened by the trauma that they came upon and we always have to remember the emergency services.”
The Taoiseach told reporters in Creeslough that emergency responders were “very moved” by the support from local volunteers.
“Many, many volunteers rushed to the scene to try and take rubble out and to do everything they could to help.”
He also praised emergency workers in Northern Ireland who helped out in the search operation.
He added that a range of supports will be provided to the community and local schools.
“We must do everything we can to be with the community, to support the community in the best way we can … Our thoughts and our prayers are with you. And we’ll be with you for quite some time.
Mary Lou McDonald embraces the members of a nearby house, where shattered glass lies outside from the impact of the explosion. #Creeslough @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/uGsU24d1ZU
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) October 8, 2022
We’re finishing our live coverage of the Creeslough tragedy for the night from this article but will be reporting any new developments tonight on the main site.
Here are the key points as we finish up:
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