Here’s a timeline of what we know so far, which we’ll keep updated:

Live updates for Tuesday 12 December

10:39 – Roads to remain closed

There will be no change in the roads surrounding the incident on Pier Road today, with Pier Road, South Hill, and Fort Regent Road remaining closed to both pedestrian and vehicular access until “at least tonight”, according to officials.

“Work is still underway to move the cordon and open these roads and an update will be given later this afternoon or this evening in relation to the access of these roads.

“Until that time, they cannot be accessed, and Islanders are advised to avoid the area to reduce the workload of the officers at the scene.”

Pier Road Car Park, Fort Regent, and La Petite Ecole nursery will therefore remain closed all daytime today.

10:32 – Vaccinations moved to Les Quennevais

Following the Haut du Mont incident and the Vaccination Centre’s decision to temporarily close at Fort Regent, outreach clinics and home visits will continue.
Anyone holding bookings for Fort Regent will have been contacted, alternatively they may attend the below clinics being offered at Les Quennevais Sports Centre:

  • Wednesday 14 December: 12pm-4pm
  • Thursday 15 December: 1pm-5pm
  • Friday 16 December: 1pm-5pm
  • Saturday 17 December: 10:30am-4pm

Live updates for Monday 12 December

19:00 – PRESS PREVIEW: Tomorrow’s special edition JEP

Click here to subscribe to view it online.

JEP explosion

17:30 – Islanders still missing after Pier Road tragedy named

15:00 – Islands Energy Group CEO makes statement to media

Read more here.

14:29 – Alderney flies flags at half-mast

A spokesperson for the States of Alderney said: “The President has asked that flags be flown at half mast until sunset on the 23rd of December, as a mark of respect for the people who have tragically lost their lives in Jersey this weekend.”

14:25 – Safety testing of island’s gas network

13:30 – Chief Minister to address States Assembly on recent tragedies

12:36 – Car parks nearing capacity

Islanders have been asked to carefully consider their travel arrangements as car parks near capacity due to the closure of Pier Road.

12:20 – MAP: Where to leave floral tributes

11:00 – Island falls silent for victims of Pier Road and maritime tragedies

People across the island fell silent this morning in tribute to those whose lives were lost in the Pier Road explosion and maritime tragedy – Read more here.

10:40 – Vaccination Centre to remain closed all week

10:16 – Islanders invited to leave flower tributes and books of condolence opened at Parish Halls

10:08 – Moment of silence to be held in States Chamber

01:45 – Some roads to reopen

Commercial Buildings and Mount Bingham have now reopened following this weekend’s explosion which claimed the lives of at least five people.

However, Pier Road and South Hill, as well as Fort Regent, are all still closed to both pedestrians and vehicles.

Live updates for Sunday 11 December

20:12 – Fort, Pier Road car park and surrounding area to remain closed tomorrow

20:00 – PREVIEW: Inside tomorrow’s JEP

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Nine pages of coverage dedicated to the weekend’s devastating events:

Click here to subscribe for as little as 39p/day.

17:40 – Police Chief: Five confirmed dead, four remain missing

16:03 – Chief Minister and Housing Minister visit displaced residents put up by Andium at Le Marais

14:45 – Cordon to remain in place today

A spokesperson for the Emergency Services said: “The police cordon around the Haut du Mont site will remain in place for the rest of today (Sunday, 11 December). Work is continuing in order to assess the situation and determine when it is safe to remove the outer cordon. For the time being Commercial Buildings, Pier Road and Fort Regent remain closed.”

13:46 – Statement from St. John Ambulance Jersey

12:00 – PRESS CONFERENCE: Chief of Police confirms gas leak “likely” cause of explosion

11:40 – PRESS CONFERENCE: Chief Minister confirms Bailiff appeal fund to be set up

11:35 – PRESS CONFERENCE: Fire Chief reveals how response to explosion unfolded

11:30 – WATCH LIVE: Press conference with the Heads of Emergency Services

11:08 – Le Collette Recycling Centre closed

10:57 – Gov confirms press conference update at 11:30

The press conference will be live-streamed on Facebook and Twitter.

All the latest information will be shared on Express, so keep following for updates.

10:50 – REMINDER: Support hotline available until 17:00

09:58 – Charity shop offers help

Headway Jersey’s Chair, former St. Peter Constable John Refault, said: “Headway Jersey will open its charity shop at 1200 today 11th December to enable survivors who have lost their homes and personal effects to come into the shop on the Junction of Burrard Street and Val Plaisant and collect whatever warm clothing that we have at no charge.

“The shop will close at 16:00 today and reopen tomorrow (Monday) all day and encourage donors with warm clothing that they wish to donate to assist in the needs of those now dispossessed.

“Any clothing donated to this cause that has not been taken will be offered to the Homeless of Jersey, Sanctuary Trust and Shelter Jersey for their winter warmth.”

09:53 – Former England Rugby player from Jersey shares tribute

08:21 – Search of explosion site moves to “recovery operation” as no signs of life found

05:27 – New Zealand MP from Jersey: “My heart goes out to all affected”

Live updates for Saturday 10 December

23:20 – WATCH: Overnight search efforts get underway

“Jersey Fire and Rescue Service are on site coordinating a methodical and meticulous multi agency search effort.

“This involves a number of stages, including vacating the site for short periods to allow dogs to enter, and the careful movement of debris,” the Government said.

22:50 – DONATE: Crowdfunding page set up

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The page was set up this evening by Richard Davy, with an aim of collecting £50,000 for those affected by the tragedy.

Click here to donate.

22:25 – Social Security Minister: “It’s been a terribly sad day”

21:20 – More UK search and rescue experts arrive to help with overnight searches

17:53 – Fort Regent to remain closed, exclusion zone “unlikely to be reduced”

Active officials said: “We hope to be open on Monday and will keep customers informed of any updates.”

17:47 – Listening Lounge extends opening hours

Teams of trained counsellors will be available from 08:00 to midnight to offer support via the Listening Lounge, and anyone needing help can call 866793 or click here.

Lucy Nicolaou, Head of LINC Services, LV Care said: “Our thoughts are with all those in our community who have been affected by the tragedies our island has faced this week.

“Our teams are on hand to ready to support anyone in need.”

17:18 – Free pet boarding offered 

Local dog-walking business ‘Miss Doolittle Jsy’ has offered a free boarding service for anyone with pets who has been affected by the blast.

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The business can be contacted on Facebook here.

16:39 – UK’s Justice Secretary, Dominic Raab, tweets his support for Jersey, following the explosion

16:30 – Chief Minister confirms at least three people dead

At a press conference with the heads of the Emergency Services this afternoon, the Chief Minister confirmed at least three people were dead following the explosion.

Lighting rigs have been brought to the area and searches will be continuing overnightwith the help of UK specialist search teams and sniffer dogs.

Police Chief Robin Smith said that there would be a fuller investigation into what happened and that a senior detective had already been “deployed to investigate”.

16:30 – Alderney President: “Please accept our deepest condolences”

President of the States of Alderney, William Tate, has sent the following message to Jersey’s Chief Minister: “No words can adequately describe the profound sense of shock and sadness felt by the people of Alderney upon hearing of the tragedy unfolding on your island.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those affected by this terrible explosion.

“Having already suffered the loss of members of your community this week at sea, we can only imagine the scale of the hurt felt by our Island cousins.

“Please accept our deepest condolences at this most painful time.”

16:10 – Channel Islands Humanists respond

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Responding to the explosion in Jersey today on behalf of the Channel Islands Humanists, Deputy Louise Doublet commented: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic explosion in St Helier, resulting in loss of life, multiple injuries, and many missing. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time, and to the emergency responders who are dealing with very dangerous conditions as they try to save people’s lives.

“In navigating dark times like these, we in the humanist community will be drawing deep from Jersey’s strong tradition of volunteering and will be ready to mobilise our members to assist in the emergency response however we can.

“We recognise that tragedies of this kind will always have a profound and lasting impact on those affected. We urge everyone to come together in support of one another, and to provide comfort and assistance to those who are in need, including those who are still waiting for news of loved ones.”

15:58 – Guernsey Christian faith leaders offer prayers for Jersey

Guernsey’s Dean has said the island’s Christian faith community is praying for the people of Jersey in the wake of this morning’s tragedy.

14:55 – Town Hall closes

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The Parish of St. Helier has confirmed the Town Hall has now closed.

Officials added that “accommodation is being provided for those who need it” and thanked “all who offered support throughout the day, the community response has been overwhelming.”

14:30 – Graphic shows Haut du Mont building before and after blast

14:05 – Hospital reopens, but still on ‘major incident’ status

The Hospital is open if you are visiting a patient this afternoon or this evening.

14:01 – Sports teams hold minute’s silence

Jersey Bulls and the Jersey RFC paid silent tribute to the victims of both the gas explosion tragedy and the fishing boat collision earlier this week ahead of their matches today – Read more here.

13:45 – Islanders invited to light candles

The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, said the Town Church would be open from 17:00 tonight for people to hold in their thoughts the families and first responders caught up in the tragedy.

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Pictured: The Bailiff arriving at the Town Hall earlier today, and supplies being carried in. 

Sir Timothy said: “I have spoken with the Dean of Jersey who has kindly offered to make the Town Church available and from this evening individuals may light candles for all who have been affected by this incident.

“I, along with others, will visit the Town Church this evening to take that opportunity and to hold in our thoughts the families and first responders who have taken part in or been affected by this incident.”

13:40 – Police and Ambulance Chiefs at scene of explosion

The explosion site was reported to be “highly unsafe” with “pockets of fire” as Police Chief Robin Smith and Ambulance Chief Peter Gavey arrived at the scene.

13:35 – UK specialists join emergency rescue effort

hampshire team fly in to help with pier road explosion

The South West Hazardous Area Response Team landed in Jersey this afternoon to help with the rescue operation, and will soon be joined by an Urban Search and Rescue Team from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

12:50 – Guernsey’s External Relations Minister says that “community stand ready to assist where we can”

12:43 – Message from the Isle of Man Chief Minister

12:30 – Islanders asked to be patient when contacting GPs due to high demand 

12:25 – Jersey Cares donating gifts to families affected

11:52 – Transform Together Fitness offers free training following incident 

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11:48 – Minister for Home Affairs Deputy Helen Miles comments 

The Minister thanked the emergency services for their response, and confirmed that “mutual assistance” is coming in from the UK. She said: “I’m grateful to all the first responders, all the emergency services who are supporting at the scene today.”

10:52 – Support line opened 

A support line has been opened for Islanders requiring support and information about family members. Islanders are being urged to call these numbers and not the police number.

10:25 – Vaccination centre closed 

The Vaccination centre has been closed until further notice following the incident. People will be contacted about rebooking.

10:23 – Fort Regent closed

Fort Regent has been closed following the incident, with islanders urged to avoid the area. 

10:18 – Bailiff arrives at Town Hall

The Bailiff has arrived at the Town Hall to offer support. Supplies are also being delivered.

He said: “I’m not directly involved with the either the direct response up at Pier Road or indeed the support down here at the Town Hall. I like many islanders woke up to the shocking news of the explosion…It’s been a most amazing effort… everyone’s been looked after in terms of medical attention if necessary, pastoral care if necessary, food, drink, clothing has been provided, and relocation has been sorted out.” – Read more HERE.

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10:09 – Battle of Flowers Christmas parade cancelled

Organiser Jackie Donald said: “In light of the tragic circumstances affecting the Island community and upon the advice of the States of Jersey Police, organisers of the proposed Christmas Parade due to take place on Sunday 11th December have taken the decision to postpone the event. Further discussion will take place with the authorities at an appropriate time in the hope that it can be arranged to take place at another date prior to Christmas.

“Our thoughts remain with those affected by these sad circumstances.”

09:45 – Police Chief confirms one dead, 12 believed to be missing after explosion

In a press conference this morning, the Police Chief confirmed that one person had lost their life in the explosion. 12 people are believed to be missing.

Specialists are also being drafted in from Hampshire’s Fire Service to assist with locating anyone who may be trapped in the rubble.

The Chief Minister said the Covid Hotline was being repurposed to coordinate support.

09:13 – Islands Energy “cooperating” with Emergency Services

“We are co-operating fully with the emergency services following the serious incident in St Helier this morning. Our thoughts are with the residents of the area and anyone who has been affected.” – Read more here.

08:32 – Accommodation found for islanders affected by explosion

08:20 – Impact registered on earthquake monitors

08:13 – Islanders advised to avoid Emergency Department

07:14 – “Walking wounded” taken to Town Hall – Housing Minister

Islanders affected by the explosion at Pier Road have been taken to the Town Hall, and emergency accommodation is being sought.

04:00 (approximately) – Explosion at Pier Road flats

A cordon has been set up around Pier Road following a major explosion early this morning, with nearby buildings evacuated, and “walking wounded” treated at the Town Hall – Read more here. 

One nearby resident, Melanie Davies, said: “Hearing the explosion was the scariest thing I have ever experienced in my life.”