Terrible tragedy in Creeslough, Co. Donegal

[LookItsMeAgain]

The death toll just keeps rising. When I went to bed last night 3 bodies had been found in the rubble of this explosion.

This morning, it had risen to 7 and by lunchtime the total is now 9.

It's such a sad day. The village only had 400 people living in it and it sounds like the kind of place that everyone knows everyone and this will be such a tragic loss to their village.

A further 8 people were brought to hospital for treatment of their injuries.

It's just so desperately sad. My thoughts go out to everyone in the area that has been working on the search & recovery (that cannot be an easy job) and to those who were injured and ultimately to those who have tragically lost their lives in the past 24 hours.

If someone else has posted on this subject, please don't feel you have to keep this thread.

www.thejournal.ie/donegal-explosion-creeslough-5887847-Oct2022/

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/10/08/donegal-explosion-latest/

www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63183510

news.sky.com/story/seven-dead-in-petrol-station-blast-in-donegal-12715168

There is a go fund me started by someone based in Brisbane but states he is from Creeslough
Also an post are taking donations from Monday. The go fund me is at over 210k . I hope a committe is appoimted to apportion the money to the right people.the families etc.it would be fab if the families could just take some time off and try and live their now different lives .so sad..i have been thinking about the owners of the shop. Where/ how will they start again
So hard

@DandyMandy there is a gofundme set up which has far exceeded the original target of €20,000. Also the coffee shop beside the petrol station has been open all weekend feeding and watering the first responders and locals and the media for free. They have also been sent food from all over Ireland. My dad is from Donegal Town.

@DandyMandy
The Irish postal service An Post is setting up a service, in conjunction with the Red Cross where people can to their local post office and donate.
Apparently it will be up and running tomorrow. I heard that on a radio news bulletin yesterday.
I'm sure there will be an internet option.

DandyMandy the fund set up by the guy in Brisbane has had donations from all over the world.

So many people have been shocked and saddened by this, donating is something people can do when they generally feel helpless in the face of such a tragedy.

Yes, it's really struck a cord hasn't it.
It could be any of us, popping into the little shop with the kids on the way home from school on a Friday afternoon.
That poor woman, ringing the pharmacy to ask after her son, who cared for her.
That poor man bringing his little girl in, to get a cake for Mammy.

We can all relate to their stories.

Feeling helpless is right @Hilarymantelspencilsharpener - I'd not want to be in the way, by driving up there.
So the only thing I can do is pop into the Post Office tomorrow to donate. I imagine there'll be some queue.

I have to say, this post has been bothering me since I read it earlier today.

A Go Fund Me was set up, the NI Fire and Rescue Service were deployed from Belfast, messages of solidarity have come from international politicians, sports clubs, the pope.

There’s an absolute bang of racism off of your post and, looking at your posting history, I can see it’s not for the first time on here.

Just saw this on FB.
Hope it's OK to share here

Where's the proof of racism? That's a strong accusation. Irish people have always helped everyone else and very few have helped us. That's a fact and I won't stand for anyone rewriting history. When I made my post I was unaware of the help being offered to the people of Donegal. I knew Ireland would rally together, I was clearly referring to other countries.

This is just not true.

I knew Ireland would rally together, I was clearly referring to other countries.

What do you mean 'other countries'? Why would other countries be required to help people in Donegal?

As well as the informal fundraising, and An Post's scheme, the Government have pledged assistance.

There is plenty of support & help. It's just it can't alleviate the utter heartbreak 💔

I listened to that extraordinary son (12 ) Hamish O' Flaherty speak so eloquently from the altar of his father James, and his gratitude to him and to all those who have helped his family , including the emergency services since the Creeslough tragedy.
It was so moving.

Bizarrely enough, I couldn't help thinking how proud his father would have been. The clergy involved have also done remarkable jobs in the most horrific of circumstances.

The RTE presenter Cormac O' Hara on Drivetime broke down yesterday when commenting on it. He has 2 sons.
Even the probably hardened reporter sounded tearful.
Hamish is an amazing boy - a credit to his parents and himself.

So desperately sorry to read about this. Sending love from Scotland to all affected.

This tragedy hasn't left my mind since it happened. Just horrific!

It reminded me too of the tragedy at a Carrickmines temporary halting site where 11 members of a family ( including an unborn child ) were killed in a fire in October 2015.
Tragic.