Blast at Petrol Station in Ireland Leaves at Least 9 Dead (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The National Police Service of Ireland reported that nine people are dead and several children are missing following an explosion at a service station in Co. Donegal, Ireland.
The blast took place on October 7 at the Applegreen service station on the outskirts of Creeslough. At present a gas leak is thought to be the most likely cause of the tragic incident in the forecourt, where there are several apartments above the service station's shop, Sputnik reported.
Up to 30 people may have been injured, the reports said.
A search operation is currently underway, with officials using sniffer dogs to search for people feared missing. The death toll is expected to rise.
Irish premier Micheal Martin went on Twitter to send his condolences to families and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as to the entire community of Creeslough, on what he called the "darkest of days" for Donegal and Ireland.
Large parts of the facade of the upstairs apartment complex appeared to have been ripped off by the blast, with the roof collapsing. Several cars were damaged by masonry propelled by the force of the blast.
