Seven people have been killed in an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal in Ireland’s northwest, police said on Saturday.

The Garda Siochana police force said eight people had hospitalised as the search and recovery for further fatalities continue at the site in the village of Creeslough.

Rescue efforts by Ireland’s emergency services went on through the night at the scene where on Friday afternoon an explosion had ripped through a petrol station forecourt and the facade of a nearby apartment complex.

Ireland’s police, fire, ambulance service, and coast guard, and the air ambulance service from Northern Ireland as well as a specialist team from the UK-run province were in attendance.

Ireland’s premier Micheal Martin said his thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion.