The blast happened shortly after 3pm on Friday at Applegreen service station on the outskirts of Creeslough, where a search operation is continuing with the help of sniffer dogs. Photos showed several cars damaged by debris, with what appears to be an apartment block behind the forecourt largely destroyed. Search efforts continued for others feared missing and the major emergency response operation, involving first responders from both sides of the Irish border, was expected to continue through the night. Among those gathered at the scene as sniffer dogs worked through the rubble were relatives of people believed to be in the building at the time. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said these were the “darkest days” for Donegal and Ireland. “My thoughts and prayers are today with those who lost their lives and those injured in the devastating explosion in Creeslough,” the Taoiseach said. “I want to express my deepest condolences to their family and friends, as well as the whole community of Creeslough, in these darkest days for Donegal and the whole country. “People on this island will be numbed by the same sense of shock and utter devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life. “I would like to thank all the members of the emergency services, from across the North West and Northern Ireland, who responded so quickly to the scene and who worked through the night in extremely traumatic conditions.” The Police of Ireland, An Garda Siochana, said: “At this time, An Garda Siochana can confirm that there have been three deaths as a result of this serious incident. “This remains an ongoing operation and An Garda Siochana are unable to provide any further information on casualties at this time.” “Everyone is completely numb here” Councilor John O’Donnell earlier told Sky News: “It’s very, very difficult here in a small rural village. “Everyone is completely numb here – we’re all in shock.” A spokesman for University Hospital Letterkenny said immediately after the explosion that it was “dealing with a serious incident, with many injured people requiring immediate attention”. “The hospital has been placed on a state of emergency as it deals with this incident. “We urge the public not to attend the Emergency Department unless it is an emergency.” Retailer Applegreen has confirmed there has been a “serious incident” at one of its dealer-operated outlets. “This is something that is your worst nightmare” TD Pearse Doherty said people were still trapped in the building on Friday night as emergency services worked to clear the debris from the area. He told RTE news: “This is something that is your worst nightmare. This is a quiet village, a very close-knit village, this is the only shop in town. “It tore right through that building, and this was a very busy location at the time.” Mr Doherty said it left “a very, very dark cloud” over the community. He said: “Silent prayers are being said, there are still people trapped inside the building and the emergency services are doing everything they can to clear the rubble and people are being airlifted to our hospitals in the area. “It’s just quiet, it’s surreal. People are just holding on to hope, waiting to hear new, positive news coming from the emergency services.” Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar described the incident as “tragic”. In a post on Twitter, Mr Varadkar wrote: “Terrible news from Donegal tonight. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic events and with the emergency services responding.” Residents were asked to stay away from the area.
