Emergency services at the scene of explosion at petrol station in Donegal

It happened at the Applegreen service station in Creeslough, close to Dunfanaghy in the north of the county, on Friday afternoon.

It has been reported by RTE that Letterkenny University Hospital has moved to Major Emergency Standby.

In a statement the hospital said it is dealing with a serious incident, with multiple people requiring immediate attention.

The hospital is appealing to the public not to come to the Emergency Department unless it is an obvious emergency.

One of the pictures being shared on Twitter shows that the blast caused devastation to properties behind the forecourt, as well as the service station itself.

Forecourt operator Applegreen said it is aware of a "serious incident” at its dealer-operated location at Creeslough.

The area around the service station has been cordoned off while the fire brigade, ambulances and police attend the scene.

Gardaí said they are "assisting other emergency services at the scene of a serious incident".

Roads to the village have been sealed off as emergency services respond to the incident.

Gardai added that road users intending to travel to Creeslough should consider alternative routes.

Councillor Sandra Duffy, the Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council said she was thinking of everyone affected by the explosion.

She said: “Prayers with our neighbours in Donegal this evening following the tragic events unfolding in Creeslough

“Thinking of everyone affected by the gas explosion at the Applegreen Station.”