Jersey explosion: One dead, 12 missing

Saturday 10 December 2022

At least one person is confirmed to have died and around 12 were believed to be missing this morning following a major explosion at a block of flats on Pier Road, St Helier, this morning, according to Jersey's Chief of Police.

Robin Smith said a major search and rescue operation is now underway at the site of Haut du Mont flats, and that specialist officers had been called in to assist.

He said that the scene remains “dangerous” and it was expected that recovery efforts would take several days.

Robin Smith said this morning: “I regret to say that tragically we have one confirmed fatality. 

“There are of course a number of other people who are unaccounted for and therefore a search and rescue operation has commenced.” 

A live update from the Chief Minister and Chief of Police on the incident at Pier Road. https://t.co/6Flbd6KWgd

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 10, 2022

He described the three-storey building as having "collapsed straight down", and described the destruction as "considerable".

"It is a devastating scene, I regret to say," he said.

The Police Chief said that a “significant proportion” of Jersey's Emergency Services were involved in the rescue effort: around 21 Police officers, nine paramedics and 19 firefighters, and that the States of Jersey Police had also put in place Family Liaison Officers to support those affected.

Jersey's Chief Minister Kristina Moore offered her "heartfelt thanks this morning to all the emergency service who attended and all those people supporting the residents of Haut du Mont flats."

She said that Andium were providing support services and that the Covid Hotline would also be repurposed to coordinate support.