Seven fatalities have been confirmed after a serious explosion in Creeslough, County Donegal yesterday.

Eight people were transferred to hospital for medical attention yesterday and the search continues for other people trapped in the rubble.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:20pm on Friday, October 7th, at a premises on the N56 at Creeslough, County Donegal.

Donegal County Council Fire Services, An Garda Síochána, the HSE National Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene in a search and recovery phase of this operation.

Road users are asked to consider alternative routes through the Creeslough area as emergency services deal with the ongoing incident.

Yesterday evening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed his "deepest sympathies" to the families of the families of the deceased, describing it as the "darkest of days for Donegal and the entire country".

Local bishop Alan McGuckian says emergency services have been praising the level of community spirit shown as rescue operations got underway.

"We see more clearly than ever before the power of a good community."

"I heard from the Gardaí that at the very beginning they were astounded at how readily and quickly members of the community raced up and were doing all in their power to try and help."

Main image shows emergency services at the scene of the explosion. Picture by: NW News Pix