Jersey Tower Explosion: Search and Rescue Ended, Dozens Still Missing | UK News

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Rescuers searching for survivors of a tower explosion in Jersey no longer expect to find anyone alive.

Chief Constable Robin Smith said: “It is with sadness that I can confirm that the search and rescue operation has transitioned into a rescue operation.

“The decision was made after a detailed evaluation and after the use of specialized K9 units.”

Three people have been confirmed killed in the blast, and about ten are still missing.

Emergency services, including firefighters, specialist rescue teams and a dog, continued to work through the night at the scene in St Helier.

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0:45 “A scene of absolute tragedy” at the site of the explosion in Jersey

In a video posted by the Jersey government on Twitter, the scale of the destruction can be seen including piles of rubble, smashed cars and a shattered window in the building next door.

Further updates are expected at 11.30am on Sunday.

At a news conference on Saturday, police described the Hauts du Mont theater on Pierre Rud as “total destruction”.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Smith said the tower had “completely collapsed” and “didn’t even look like a building” after the “very big explosion”.

Photo: Chief of Police Robin Smith and Chief Inspector Craig Jackson Pic: Facebook/Jersey Government Image: A police dog at the scene. Pic: Jersey Government

Jersey Police were called to the scene at 4 a.m. Saturday, declaring one person dead and two others, described as “walking injured,” hospitalised.

The fire sparked by the explosion was initially believed to have been extinguished, but on Saturday afternoon, Jersey Fire and Rescue said “pockets of fire” had been discovered, adding that the site was still “very unsafe.”

Photo: Pic: Jersey Government

It is too early to speculate about the cause of the explosion

The cause of the explosion is still unknown. Firefighters were called to the scene around 8:30 p.m. Friday, just hours before the explosion, after reports of gas being smelled by residents.

When asked what could have caused such a “vicious” explosion, Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said there were “many different possible causes”, but it was too early to speculate.

In a similar vein, Mr. Smith said there were “a number of working hypotheses” but stressed the importance of not speculating.

He said a senior investigator had been assigned to look into the incident, which could be a “criminal or joint investigation”.

Photo: CCTV of the explosion

There are now Disaster Victimization (DVI) Specialization Strategies, with specialized officers surveying the scene along with Fire and Ambulance Officers and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) tactical advisors.

Residents who used to live in the flats have been moved to St Helier Town Hall, where they continue to be supported.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab wrote on Twitter that he was “deeply saddened” by the accident and praised the work of the emergency services, adding: “We stand ready to provide support in any way we can.”

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