Northern Ireland's emergency services have been thanked for the help and support they provided at the scene of the Creeslough tragedy.
After getting the call for help from the Republic's National Ambulance Services, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) despatched a number of resources including Rapid Response Paramedics, an Emergency Crew, Hazardous Area Response Teams, a non-Emergency Crew and the Charity Air Ambulance.
Michael Bloomfield, Chief Executive of the NIAS, said: "The tragedy that visited the tight knit community of Creeslough is something that we never would want to witness, but it is what we, as emergency services prepare and train for.
"This training was brought to bear as colleagues from different services all came together to work as one and to ensure the safety of as many casualties as possible," he said.
"Working alongside colleagues from all emergency services, North and South, our staff brought their vast experience to a situation requiring the highest levels of clinical skills and decision making in the most difficult pre-hospital environment that one could imagine".
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) also sent support to the rescue effort in Creeslough.
The service sent its Specialist Rescue Team from Belfast along with a Command Support Unit from Strabane to the incident to support its colleagues in the Donegal Fire Service.
Using specialist search and rescue equipment, Firefighters worked with other emergency services in the hope of rescuing survivors trapped in the rubble.
Paul Harper, Deputy Chief Fire and Rescue Officer with the NIFRS said: "Working in partnership with our colleagues from Donegal Fire Service and with multiple statutory and voluntary organisations, this was a significant multi-agency and cross border response effort.
"NIFRS have now left the area and will continue to be available to support our colleagues in Donegal Fire Service during this extremely challenging time," he said.
The Republic's Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, thanked "all the members of the community, National Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade and the staff of Letterkenny Hospital who responded with heroism and haste and tirelessly worked throughout the night in this devastating situation.
"I would also like to give special thanks to the staff of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance who came to the assistance of their colleagues," he said.
Health Minister Robin Swann has paid tribute to the emergency service crews from Northern Ireland who attended the explosion.
“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives at Creeslough. Our hearts go out to all those affected and to the wider community.
“I pay tribute to the crews from Northern Ireland who answered the call from across the border and brought their expertise and experience to the incident.
“The words of gratitude to the NI personnel that have been expressed by the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues are very much appreciated.
