Girl among 10 killed in petrol station blast ‘had gone to buy mother’s birthday cake’

Police say County Donegal blast was ‘one of the largest civilian casualities in recent times’

A girl among the 10 people killed in a petrol station explosion in Ireland had reportedly gone to the shop to buy her mother’s birthday cake.

Police said investigations pointed to a “tragic accident” the day after the deadly blast in County Donegal.

Officers gave an updated death toll of 10 on Saturday afternoon. The victims included four men, three women, two teenagers and a girl of primary school age.

Emergency services at the scene of the deadly explosion in County Donegal (REUTERS)

All victims were from the Creeslough area where the blast that ripped through a petrol station and nearby buildings took place.

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The deadly blast was “one of the largest civilian casualities in recent times” that officers had seen, a police spokesperson said.

One person remained in hospital in critical condition, officials said. Seven others were understood to be in a stable condition.

Police say 10 people were killed in the explosion (Getty Images)

Garda press spokesperson, Liam Geraghty, said: “The emergency services continue a search and recovery operation at the site this afternoon but based on the information available to An Garda Siochana at this time it is not expected that there will be any further casualties located and there are no outstanding reports of unaccounted for persons.”

The press conference held a short moment’s silence for the victims.

The explosion ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store and adjacent buildings on Friday afternoon.

Police have updated the death toll for the explosion (PA)

Three deaths were initially confirmed on the day of the explosion. On Saturday, the death toll rose to 10.

One of the victims had gone to buy a birthday cake for her mother, it has been reported.

A family friend told MailOnline: ‘It’s heartbreaking, she was just a little girl. She’d gone to the shop with her dad to buy her mum a birthday cake and they were caught up in the explosion. She’d just started school as well.”

The community is ‘devastated’ by the tragic incident (Getty Images)

Superintendent David Kelly from Milford garda station told the press conference on Saturday: “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.

“I would like say as well, and forgive me if I get a bit emotional because you are dealing with the public.

“At this point in time, we have to keep an open mind in how we investigate this but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.”

Firefighters at the scene were praised for their efforts (AFP via Getty Images)

The Irish 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.”

Meanwhile the Irish premier Micheal Martin said he will visit the village. “I think the entire nation is shocked at what has happened. It’s an unspeakable tragedy,” he told reporters in Cork.

Additional reporting by Press Association