One dead and up to a dozen injured after explosion at Jersey St Helier flats

One person has died and up to 12 people are missing after an explosion destroyed several flats in Jersey.

Emergency services were called to Haut du Mont in St Helier just before 4am amid reports of a major incident.

Debris was strewn across the street while smoke plumes billowed through the air, as two ‘walking wounded’ were rushed to hospital. 

A search and rescue operation is underway in an attempt to find people trapped in the rubble, but the scene is reportedly ‘very dangerous’. 

States of Jersey Police chief officer Robin Smith said in a statement: ‘Following the explosion this morning at Haut du Mont, Pier Road, a number of residents are still missing.

Debris was strewn across the street while smoke plumes billowed through the air, as two ‘walking wounded’ were rushed to hospital

‘Emergency services are working at the scene and have commenced a surface search of the site.’

The fire has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still ‘carrying out significant work’ at the scene, which is cordoned off.

People have been asked to avoid the area.

Locals have also been urged to avoid the hospital’s emergency department unless absolutely necessary to ensure the resources can be adequately used to treat victims. 

It has not yet been established what caused the explosion, but Jersey’s gas supplier, Island Energy, has issued a statement, reading: ‘We are working with @JsyFire to understand exactly what has happened.

‘[We] will share more information once it is available. We ask that islanders continue to follow the advice given by emergency services at this time.’ 

This is a developing story. More to come 

One person has died and up to 12 people are missing after an explosion destroyed several flats in Jersey