Seven people have now been confirmed dead following an explosion at a petrol station in Donegal.

A further eight people are being treated in hospital for their injuries as a major search by emergency workers of the devastated site in the village of Creeslough continues.

The blast happened just after 3pm on Friday at the Applegreen service station, causing widespread damage to surrounding buildings and cars.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has described it as the “darkest of days” for Donegal and Ireland.

In a statement, the Irish police said: “An Garda Siochana can now confirm seven fatalities as a result of this incident – three fatalities were confirmed yesterday; four fatalities are now confirmed overnight.

“The search and recovery for further fatalities continues.

“Eight persons were transferred to hospital for medical attention yesterday.”

Mr Martin said: “My thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion in Creeslough.

“I wish to express my deepest sympathies to their family, and friends, and to the entire community of Creeslough, on this darkest of days for Donegal and the entire country.

“People across 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 are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic circumstances.”

Councillor John O’Donnell told Sky News: “This is very, very hard here in a small rural village.

“Everybody’s completely numb here – we’re just all in shock.”