Parents hugged their children as hundreds gathered for a vigil in memory of the 10 people who died in the petrol station explosion in Ireland.

People also carried candles at the vigil which was held in the town of Milford, around a half an hour’s drive from Cleeslough where the disaster happened on Friday.

Prayers were said and music was played, including a song called Creeslough, written and played by a local musician.

The crowd sang the Irish language hymn A Mhuire Mhathair (Mother Mary) at the end of the vigil.

Hot drinks and biscuits were handed out afterwards, as people gathered to process the news in the aftermath of the tragedy.

It is the first of almost 20 vigils due to be held across County Donegal on Sunday.

Read more: Girl, 5, and her father were buying birthday cake for mum when they were killed in blast

They will take place after it emerged the youngest victim was buying her mum a birthday cake in the petrol station shop at the time of the blast.

Shauna Flanagan Garwe was killed alongside her father Robert Garwe, 50.

Catherine O’Donnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan were also among the dead in what has been described as a “freak accident”.

In a news conference on Sunday, police said the other six victims were James O’Flaherty, 48, Jessica Gallagher, 24, Martin McGill, 49, Hugh Kelly, 59, Martina Martin, 49, and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

A man in his 20s is in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin, while seven other people are being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital and are described as being in a stable condition.

National correspondent

The youngest victim of the Creeslough explosion had been buying a birthday cake for her Mum when she was killed.

Five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe died alongside her father, who was known as Bob, as they were shopping in the service station not far from their home.

The family released a photograph of Shauna in her primary school uniform at the gates of her school.

Her 50-year-old father, who was Zimbabwean, had taken her after school to buy the cake as the family prepared to celebrate Shauna’s mother’s birthday.

Irish Police confirmed that the girl’s primary school would be working to support pupils and staff in the coming days.

One local who has spent time with Shauna’s family over the weekend said they are “in pieces”.

The man who didn’t want to be named told Sky News: “They are distraught.

“They have family travelling up to be with them but you just can’t imagine it can you?

“It’s just tragic, that poor little girl – none of these people deserved this.”

Meanwhile, the Pope has offered his condolences to the people of Ireland in the wake of the explosion.

A statement sent by his representative to Bishop of Raphoe Alexander McGuckian reads: “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction caused by the explosion in Creeslough and he expresses his spiritual closeness to all those suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy.

“While entrusting the deceased to the merciful love of almighty god, His Holiness implores the divine blessings of consolation and healing upon the injured, the displaced and the families coping with pain of loss.

“As a pledge of strength and peace in the lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing to all the people of Ireland.”

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