Creeslough community 'struggles with scale of tragedy'

A man passes by damaged buildings close to the scene of the explosion

This is a County Donegal community that has been numbed and shattered.

In this small village everyone knows one another - Creeslough's people are tight-knit.

It's a peaceful, tranquil part of the county, not far from the mountains of Errigal and Muckish.

Ards Forest and Sheephaven Bay are close by.

On any given Saturday, people would be going about their business.

Not today.

The village is quiet but for the noise of the emergency services and ongoing search and recovery efforts.

Earlier some gathered at a cordon about 300 yards from the scene of Friday afternoon's explosion, eager to learn more; eager to stand together.

Lorries, tractors, industrial and emergency vehicles lined the road that runs through Creeslough.

Father John Joe Duffy led the people of Creeslough in prayer on Saturday morning

The petrol station, its shop and deli are right at the centre of the town and at the heart of this community.

Today that community is struggling to understand. No-one here can comprehend the scale of the tragedy.

No-one in this quiet, small Donegal village will be unaffected.

There is a sense now that a sore, painful reality is setting in.

Recovery efforts were significantly scaled back on Saturday afternoon.

• Ten people dead after Donegal explosion

Many of the rescue workers who had worked through the night have taken a first break from their efforts.

There has been praise locally for their work and for the swift response of emergency teams from across the border in Northern Ireland.

One local man told BBC News NI that would "not be forgotten".

Like many at the scene, he is reluctant to speak publicly - some say it is too soon; others say they are too upset.

Creeslough is a small village in County Donegal near Letterkenny

Their community is shocked and stunned and now it is in mourning.

Many businesses are closed; the village's main street has fallen silent.

A coffee shop is open to help those who have helped this community in its time of need.

Food, hot drinks and refreshment are being given away free to those who have been working at the scene overnight.

Trays of sandwiches are brought and handed over at the cordon that remains in place.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, told BBC News NI that it was difficult to comprehend what has happened.

She was at work on Friday afternoon, just hundreds of yards from the explosion.

"The bang was so loud you knew that it was serious - straight away you knew it was very serious," she said.

"It is so difficult to take it in.

"We are pulling together as best we can - you can see that, everyone doing all they can to help."

The island's eyes are fixed on this village, where an unimaginable tragedy has unfolded.

But there is a sense that this community wants to be allowed to mourn.