Two more deaths have been confirmed from the explosion at Jersey's Haut du Mont flats.
Police say the number known to have been killed in the Pier Road blast is now seven, with - it is believed - two residents unaccounted for.
The fatalities have not yet been formally identified.
Chief of Police Robin Smith has made the following statement:
"The number of Islanders confirmed to have been killed in the blast is now seven. There are still residents that remain unaccounted for. We estimate this number to be two.
The families have been made aware of this announcement and are being supported by specially trained Family Liaison Officers.
The fatalities have not yet been formally identified. The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process must be carefully considered and managed in a dignified and compassionate way.
Therefore, we are not yet able to confirm if the fatalities that have been found at the site correspond to the seven identities released by the missing Islanders families yesterday afternoon.
The identities of the other Islanders will be released by their families, with the support of SOJP, at a later date."
An extensive search and recovery operation is continuing at the site, and a cordon remains in place.
Work is still underway to move the cordon & open these roads and an update will be given later this afternoon or this evening (Tuesday, 13 December).
— States of Jersey Police (@JerseyPolice) December 13, 2022
Until that time, they can't be accessed, and Islanders are advised to avoid the area to reduce the workload of those at the scene pic.twitter.com/mQzdw4u3cX
The cause of the blast is subject to several investigations - by the Police, the Fire Service and by the gas company Island Energy.
The government is giving a press conference at 2pm to update islanders on the latest information.
You can hear it live on Channel 103.
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