Five confirmed dead in Jersey flat explosion with four still missing as police refuse to rule out 'criminal activity'

11 December 2022, 09:00 | Updated: 11 December 2022, 18:22

The death toll after a flat explosion in Jersey has risen to five, police said.

"The number of islanders confirmed to have been killed in the blast is now five," police chief Robin Smith said tonight.

The explosion is most likely a gas blast, officers suggested earlier, but they have not ruled out criminal activity.

Emergency services had been trying to find survivors after the blast, which also left 12 others missing on Saturday morning, but the operation has moved from search and rescue to "recovery", meaning responders don't expect to find more survivors.

Police suspect it was a gas explosion and are yet to rule out criminal activity.

But Chief of Jersey Police Robin Smith, asked if there was any suspicion the incident was a crime, said: "We rule nothing in and we rule nothing out."

He added: "It is with sadness that I am confirming that the search-and-rescue operation had been moved to a recovery operation.

"The decision was made after a detailed assessment and following the use of specialist K9 units.

"Disaster victim identification (DVI) strategies are in place and specialist officers are surveying the scene with fire and ambulance services and tactical advisers from urban search and rescue (USAR)."

The blast rocked St Helier at about 4am on Saturday.

Jersey's chief minister Kristina Moore said the community was "immensely shocked and saddened" but was overwhelmed with the offers of support from the public.

Mr Smith said it looks likely the cause of the blast was a gas explosion.

"You look at the pictures and I'm no expert, I look to the left [the fire chief] for the expertise who can say it looks likely that that is the case," he said on Sunday.

"But, of course, as you often hear the police service saying, we keep all our options open. That seems likely but we do not know is the simple answer."

Progress in the rescue operation was hampered as emergency workers kept finding "pockets of fire".

Up to 30 people were being cared for at St Helier town hall with Jersey's government asking people to avoid going to A&E unless it is "absolutely necessary".

Ms Moore said on Saturday: "It's a huge shock to everyone this morning, but in the first instance our condolences go to the families who are affected and we're all thinking and praying for those who are worried about their loved ones.

"We all share in their concern."