A dad and his five-year-old daughter are amongst the victims of the devastating explosion in Co Donegal which killed 10 people.
As the community rallies to support the families, the names of more of the victims have been released locally. It is understood the five-year-old girl and her father were at the Applegreen Service Station buying a birthday cake for her mum.
Other victims are understood to have included a mother and son who called to the shop in Creeslough on the way home from school, and a man using the ATM, the Irish Mirror reports.
On Saturday night, Gardai said the death toll includes four men, three women, two teenagers and a young girl.
A number of the victims named locally included Catherine O’Donnell, 38, and her 14-year-old son James, Jessica Gallagher, 23, and Hugh Gallagher. Martin McGill, who was in his mid 40s, Hughie Kelly and budding rugby player Leona Harper, 14, are also known to have been killed. All of the victims are from the local area.
Last night Leona’s heartbroken brother Anthony paid tribute to his little sister on Facebook.
He said: “I don’t know where to begin Leona. I couldn’t have asked for a better little sister. You would go mad for me putting this up of you now because it’s an old picture of you. Leona I love you so much and we all love you so much.”
Her death was announced by Letterkenny Rugby Club, who said she was an “important” part of their U14s team.
It posted on Facebook: “We are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Leona Harper tragically lost her life yesterday in Creeslough. She was a talented rugby player and an important part of our U14 girls team.
“To Leona’s parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers Anthony and Jamie, and all of her team-mates, we offer you our deepest condolences and support. There are no words that feel strong enough at a moment of deep sorrow such as this. Rest in peace, Leona.”
Gardai said all those who had been reported missing were now accounted for although forensic teams would continue to sift through the rubble.
A major emergency was declared at the nearby hospital on Friday as locals rushed to help rescue people who could be heard crying for help beneath the rubble.
They formed a human chain to clear debris and rescue a girl in her mid teens, but were unable to save her friend.
Nina Gabel, who was at the cordon on Friday evening, described distressing scenes.
She said: “There was one woman who didn’t know where her daughter was and she was very upset. What looked like farmers’ tractors were helping to dig out the rubble.”
As Taoiseach Micheal Martin visited the scene for himself, Supt David Kelly, of Milford Garda station, confirmed all 10 victims were from the locality.
He said: “This is a tragedy for our community, there are families left devastated.
“I just want to start by offering, on behalf of myself and my colleagues that attended the scene yesterday and indeed are continuing to do so, our very sincere condolences.
“In this point in time we have to keep an open mind as a police service and how we investigate this.
“But our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.”
Jessica Gallagher, 23, reportedly lived in a flat above the petrol station (Image: Facebook)
In an update on Saturday night a Garda spokesman said the search operation at the scene had concluded and no further casualties had been located.
He added: “The technical bureau has commenced an examination of the scene, with assistance from the health and safety authority and national utility companies.
“The local coroner and the office of the State pathologist have been notified and postmortems will take place over the coming days.
“Garda family liaison are providing support and information to those impacted by this incident.”
Relatives maintained a hushed presence at the scene last night as an air of disbelief hung in the air. The HSE said its psychological social response team would “remain present” in Creeslough over the coming days to provide counselling support.
It stated: “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.”
One local man, who lives a kilometre from the blast site, told how he felt a “sonic boom” and was knocked off his chair when the tragedy struck.
Eamonn McFadden, who was working at his laptop at the time, said: “There was this huge bang. We were rocked to the very core.
“The house shook and the people in the house shook. It was actually hard to describe what it felt like other than to call it a sonic boom.
“It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.” Mr McFadden said he knew something “catastrophic” had happened. He rushed to the scene and found utter carnage and devastation.
The witness said: “It was like something you would see in a movie. It was catastrophic.
“There were no emergency services at the scene at that stage so we helped as best we could. It was just very difficult to know even where to start.”
Emergency services at the scene in Creeslough (Image: Getty images)
Mr McFadden revealed how one man emerged from the rubble of the apartments and was barely injured.
He said: “That was hard to believe but it was great to see that he was not injured.
“A ladder was put up to him and we managed to take him down.
“That was one happy ending but unfortunately it was not the case for so many.”
Kieran Gallagher, whose house is 150 yards away, also rushed to the scene to help.
He said: “I had the back door open and there was a blast. It was like a bomb. I went up to help.
“There were workmen and tradesmen everywhere. We were clearing the rubble and lifting concrete blocks and lead from the roof and timber with nails in it. There were shopping baskets, greeting cards, sympathy cards, and other cards I couldn’t really see you know, we were too busy. It was a devastating scene.”
Speaking to Greg Hughes on Highland Radio, a tearful Mr Gallagher said he knows all of the deceased including a neighbour and a five-year-old girl.
He added: “I know my neighbour worked on the till. She has passed away. My friend’s sister and son have passed away and I know the father and the young fella.
“There’s a five-year-old girl... herself and her father were on the forecourt and passed away.”
And he said one young man who was working in the shop was lucky to survive the blast after he left to go to the store room.
A 22-year-old woman has died after a hit-and-run in Oswestry.
West Mercia Police said a car mounted a kerb at about 02:50 BST and hit two people outside the Grill Out takeaway on Willow Street.
Both were transferred to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital by ambulance. The woman died shortly after arrival while the second person had minor injuries.
Police said the vehicle, believed to be a light gold or champagne colour Volvo, and its driver are yet to be located.
Detective Inspector Paul Bettison said: "Clearly this is a concerning incident and I'd like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to locate the vehicle and driver.
"Our thoughts go out to family of the woman who has died as a result of this tragic incident.
"I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time and may have mobile phone, dash cam or CCTV images footage of the incident itself, or the car in the moments leading up to the incident, to please contact us.
"We believe there may have been a number of passengers in the vehicle, and I would also urge them to come forward."
Four cabinet ministers have urged their colleagues to rally behind Liz Truss or risk election defeat amid infighting in the Tory party.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Nadhim Zahawi, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt and Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena have all written articles calling on the party to unite around the new prime minister or risk ending up in opposition.
Cabinet ministers are planning to ambush the prime minister in a meeting on Tuesday to demand she rules out raising benefits in line with wages rather than inflation, according to the Sunday Times.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, a long-time ally of Ms Truss, is reported to have put her chances of survival at "only 40-60" on Monday, though he denied the remarks.
It has also been rumoured former transport secretary Grant Shapps, who backed Ms Truss's rival Rishi Sunak for the Tory leadership, is offering to volunteer as a caretaker prime minister.
One report featured particularly harsh words for Michael Gove, with the former Cabinet minister branded "sadistic" after he helped force the chancellor's humiliating U-turn on tax at the party's annual conference.
More on Liz Truss
Related Topics:
Meanwhile, polling by Opinium for the Observer put Ms Truss's personal approval rating at minus 47 and Mr Kwarteng's at minus 51.
Ms Braverman used her piece in The Sun on Sunday to warn against "splits and fallout" in the Tory Party.
Advertisement
"Those working with Labour to undermine our prime minister are putting the Conservatives' chance of victory at the next election in real danger," she wrote.
"So the choice for my colleagues and for us is as party is simple: Back Liz or get Keir Starmer, hand-in-hand with Nicola Sturgeon."
She previously said she was "disappointed" by the mid-conference U-turn on cutting income tax for the highest earners and accused rebels such as Mr Gove of staging a "coup".
But she has also expressed views which risked setting her at odds with government policy in recent days, saying she has "reservations" about relaxing immigration controls as part of any trade deal with India and suggesting the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
In an article for the Mail on Sunday Mr Zahawi admitted the government did not get the "whole package right" when it came to his plan for growth, acknowledging the climbdown on the 45% rate for earnings over £150,000.
However, he drew a line under the debacle, writing: "Another big decision, done."
"That is the mark of the prime minister's leadership," he said.
"She listened and decided to focus on what matters most: the bulk of our plan to get Britain moving."
He insisted "now is the time" for the Tories to rally behind Ms Truss, warning the alternative - a Labour government "propped up" by the SNP - is "beyond concerning".
"We cannot allow the keys of the Kingdom to be allowed to fall into their hands," he said.
"That is why my fellow Conservatives need to hold our nerve."
Mr Zahawi said the Tories should support their leader and not be "working against her" and cautioned "division will only result in drift, delay and defeat".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
8:01
Voters have their say on Truss and Starmer
Ms Mordaunt also warned against a divide within party ranks, writing in The Sunday Telegraph, she said Ms Truss had "acknowledged mistakes were made" with the mini-budget and "acted" accordingly.
"Anyone can wave to the cameras. Anyone can be all things to all people. That's the easy bit," Ms Mordaunt said.
"You measure leaders when they are in the ring dazzled by the media lights taking punch after punch and taking the hard decisions required.
"All my colleagues have a part to play in delivering for the British people. We need all talents helping our nation now. Division will only play into the hands of those who would take our country in the wrong direction."
Mr Jayawardena issued a similar message in The Sunday Express, saying colleagues must "get behind" Ms Truss and "deliver, deliver, deliver".
"A failure to do so will result in a coalition of chaos - a Labour government, propped up by the SNP and the Lib Dems," he said.
"We need to back Liz Truss - or get Keir Starmer in Nicola Sturgeon's pocket."
A teenage girl who is among the 10 people who died after an explosion at a petrol station in Donegal has been named as Leona Harper.
Letterkenny Rugby Club paid tribute to a "talented rugby player" and an "important part of our U14 girls' team" in a post on their Facebook page.
The club said: "We are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed... to Leona's parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers Anthony and Jamie, and all of her team mates, we offer you our deepest condolences and support.
"There are no words that feel strong enough at a moment of deep sorrow such as this.
"Rest in peace, Leona."
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 in Friday's blast.
Four others, including a girl of primary school age, were also killed.
Ireland's prime minister Micheal Martin earlier visited the scene and said the "entire nation is mourning" after the disaster.
He added: "A young child in a shop loses her life, and two teenagers along with men and women who were going about their lives.... The emergency services, they had been in the shop earlier, some of them. It just shows fate, in terms of what life can bring, with no notice... It's truly a shocking, tragic event."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
2:09
'Terrible silence': Irish PM in Donegal
Police confirmed that all of the victims were from the Creeslough area where the blast ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store causing widespread damage, including to surrounding buildings and cars, on Friday.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing but police have said they are not expecting further casualties.
A Garda spokesman also said there are "no outstanding reports of unaccounted for persons".
Superintendent David Kelly from Milford Gardai said in a news conference on Saturday: "At this moment in time we have to keep an open mind as a police service as to how we investigate this, but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.
"That said, being a garda, I have to take a holistic and overall viewpoint, but that's where we're going at the moment."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
0:33
Explosion 'points towards a tragic accident'
Image:Pic: North West Newspix
Gardai said the explosion caused the largest number of civilian casualties seen in decades in the region.
Mr Kelly earlier said: "This is a tragedy for our community. There are families left devastated.
"I want to offer, on behalf of myself and my colleagues that attended the scene, our very sincere condolences."
John Joe McGowan, chief ambulance officer for the western region of Ireland's national ambulance service, said words cannot describe the efforts of emergency services in Creeslough.
"Each and every one of you have gone above and beyond in your response," he said, extending particular thanks to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance for their support.
"We will continue our efforts and work with our colleagues in the gardai and the fire service until all recovery efforts have concluded."
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has now left Creeslough after helping with the rescue effort in the wake of the explosion.
Sniffer dogs have been used and a digger has been sifting through the debris, with rubble being taken away by trailer.
At one point on Friday night, all machinery was turned off and onlookers were asked to remain completely silent as workers attempted to detect survivors beneath the debris.
Image:People leave St Michael's Church Creeslough after a Mass
'Within seconds the area was covered in ash'
Having announced three fatalities in the aftermath of the tragedy, Irish police confirmed the seven further deaths on Saturday.
No indication has been given on the suspected cause of the explosion.
A witness to the blast, Siobhan Carr, said: "Within seconds the area was covered in ash and a puff of smoke.
"From that, we kind of run out to see what had happened and within seconds, people from the community had just come running up the road, cars stopped, people getting out of cars, running towards the building to see who could help."
Disaster-hit community wrestles with 'tsunami of grief'
It would be difficult to exaggerate the sense of shock in Creeslough.
This tiny, picturesque village in County Donegal is attempting to comprehend an enormous tragedy.
There is an eerie silence, people numbed by what has happened here.
Parish priest, Father John Joe Duffy, told me he was dealing with "a tsunami of grief".
He has been providing pastoral support to the bereaved and those still waiting for news.
The petrol station was a community hub and would have been packed at the time of the explosion.
Local people were digging through the rubble in an attempt to rescue those trapped when help arrived.
Fire and ambulance services from Northern Ireland crossed the border to assist their colleagues.
People have been arriving with hot food for emergency teams delicately searching the debris.
One local politician said: "We are seeing the best of this community as it faces its worst day."
'It's an unspeakable tragedy'
Ireland's deputy premier Leo Varadkar said: "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."
Ireland's President Michael D Higgins said: "This tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit and where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond."
'Explosion ripped the heart out of this community'
Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said: "This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough.
"We are utterly shocked and saddened at what happened yesterday. I would also like to offer our thanks to the emergency services and first responders who are dealing with the incident."
Donegal TD Pearse Doherty said: "This explosion not only ripped the heart out of this building, but ripped the heart out of this community and left a huge amount of devastation."
'Tsunami of grief'
Prayers were said in the local church in Creeslough on Saturday morning, where the congregation was told there was a "tsunami" of grief in the community.
Father John Joe Duffy said: "From our hearts, with all our hearts and with all our souls, we pray for those who have died, we pray for those who were injured, we pray for all who were involved… we pray for those who are there continuing to help and have helped since yesterday.
"We pray also for those family members who are bereaved and we pray for those who still are waiting news.
"We keep them all very much in our hearts."
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said in a tweet she was shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life in Donegal.
A girl is among 10 people confirmed dead following an explosion at a petrol station in Donegal, in what has been described as a "freak accident".
The victims are four men, three women, a teenage boy, a teenage girl, and a primary school aged girl.
Police confirmed that all victims were from the Creeslough area where the blast ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store causing widespread damage, including to surrounding buildings and cars, on Friday.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing but police have said they are not expecting further casualties.
A Garda spokesman also said there are "no outstanding reports of unaccounted for persons".
Superintendent David Kelly from Milford Gardai said in a news conference on Saturday: "At this moment in time we have to keep an open mind as a police service as to how we investigate this, but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.
"That said, being a garda, I have to take a holistic and overall viewpoint, but that's where we're going at the moment."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
0:33
Explosion 'points towards a tragic accident'
Image:Pic: North West Newspix
Gardai said the explosion caused the largest number of civilian casualties seen in decades in the region.
Mr Kelly earlier said: "This is a tragedy for our community. There are families left devastated.
"I want to offer, on behalf of myself and my colleagues that attended the scene, our very sincere condolences."
John Joe McGowan, chief ambulance officer for the western region of Ireland's national ambulance service, said words cannot describe the efforts of emergency services in Creeslough.
"Each and every one of you have gone above and beyond in your response," he said, extending particular thanks to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance for their support.
"We will continue our efforts and work with our colleagues in the gardai and the fire service until all recovery efforts have concluded."
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said it was an "unspeakable tragedy" and pledged support to help it get through the "enormous trauma".
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has now left Creeslough after helping with the rescue effort in the wake of the explosion.
Sniffer dogs have been used and a digger has been sifting through the debris, with rubble being taken away by trailer.
At one point on Friday night, all machinery was turned off and onlookers were asked to remain completely silent as workers attempted to detect survivors beneath the debris.
Image:People leave St Michael's Church Creeslough after a Mass
Having announced three fatalities in the aftermath of the tragedy, Irish police confirmed the latest deaths on Saturday.
No indication has been given on the suspected cause of the explosion.
A witness to the blast, Siobhan Carr, said: "Within seconds the area was covered in ash and a puff of smoke.
"From that, we kind of run out to see what had happened and within seconds, people from the community had just come running up the road, cars stopped, people getting out of cars, running towards the building to see who could help."
Mr Martin, who plans to visit the scene, said: "I think the entire nation is shocked at what has happened, it's an unspeakable tragedy.
"Our thoughts and our payers, our hearts go out to the people of Creeslough, to the families of those who have lost their lives and who have been injured, and to the entire community who are numbed and shocked by what has happened."
Disaster-hit community wrestles with 'tsunami of grief'
It would be difficult to exaggerate the sense of shock in Creeslough.
This tiny, picturesque village in County Donegal is attempting to comprehend an enormous tragedy.
There is an eerie silence, people numbed by what has happened here.
Parish priest, Father John Joe Duffy, told me he was dealing with "a tsunami of grief".
He has been providing pastoral support to the bereaved and those still waiting for news.
The petrol station was a community hub and would have been packed at the time of the explosion.
Local people were digging through the rubble in an attempt to rescue those trapped when help arrived.
Fire and ambulance services from Northern Ireland crossed the border to assist their colleagues.
People have been arriving with hot food for emergency teams delicately searching the debris.
One local politician said: "We are seeing the best of this community as it faces its worst day."
Ireland's deputy premier Leo Varadkar said: "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."
Ireland's President Michael D Higgins said: "This tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit and where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond."
Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said: "This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough.
"We are utterly shocked and saddened at what happened yesterday. I would also like to offer our thanks to the emergency services and first responders who are dealing with the incident."
Donegal TD Pearse Doherty said: "This explosion not only ripped the heart out of this building, but ripped the heart out of this community and left a huge amount of devastation.
"There are a number of people still missing and the emergency services are working tirelessly to remove debris and to recover other individuals who may still be in that building."
Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue, who also represents the area, said: "It is a really challenging, traumatic situation here in Creeslough.
"There is real devastation here in this local community.
"This is something which is going to mark this community and indeed Donegal for many years to come."
Prayers were said in the local church in Creeslough on Saturday morning, where the congregation was told there was a "tsunami" of grief in the community.
Father John Joe Duffy said: "From our hearts, with all our hearts and with all our souls, we pray for those who have died, we pray for those who were injured, we pray for all who were involved… we pray for those who are there continuing to help and have helped since yesterday.
"We pray also for those family members who are bereaved and we pray for those who still are waiting news.
