At least five people have been killed by a huge explosion on Saturday in Saint Helier, the capital of the Channel island of Jersey, after British rescue services ruled it impossible to find survivors in an incident that had left at least four more missing.
«We have moved on to a recovery operation,» the island’s chief minister, Kristina Moore, told the BBC.
There were believed to be nine residents in the block alone, and it is being investigated whether some of them were accompanied, which could lead to more fatalities.
Jersey Police Chief Constable Robin Smith also confirmed «with great sadness» the end of rescue operations «following a detailed assessment and after the use of canine units».
Now, «strategies are being worked on to identify victims of the disaster, in conjunction with the Fire and Ambulance services, as well as tactical specialists».
Families will have the answers they need,» said Minister Moore, as firefighters finish extinguishing the last flames generated by the explosion, the causes of which are still under investigation.
