Pier Road Tragedy: seven now confirmed to have died

Tuesday 13 December 2022

Police have confirmed that at least seven islanders died in the major explosion on Pier Road over the weekend, with two more still missing.

In a statement released this lunchtime, Police Chief Robin Smith said the fatalities had not yet been formally identified.

It's suspected that the explosion early on Saturday morning at the Haut du Mont flats was caused by a gas leak, but that has not yet been confirmed. 

"The families have been made aware of this announcement and are being supported by specially trained Family Liaison Officers," Mr Smith said.

"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," he continued.

He added that the identities of the other Islanders are due to be released by their families at a later date.

"My thoughts and those of all the emergency response continues to be with the victims and families affected by this tragic incident.

"May I ask that the privacy of the families continues to be respected."