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Five people are now confirmed to have died, and around four still remain unaccounted for, following the explosion that collapsed an entire block of flats at Pier Road early on Saturday morning.
The three-storey Andium-run Haut du Mont apartment building was destroyed in a blast which was felt across the island shortly before 04:00 on Saturday, leaving fire and significant debris in its wake.
Today, the Police Chief said it was "likely" the explosion was caused by a gas leak, but the authorities were still keeping an open mind.
Alongside search experts from the UK, who brought specially trained sniffer dogs with them, Jersey's Emergency Services worked through the night to rescue anyone that may have been trapped under the rubble.
Pictured: The blast caused a "pancake collapse" of the building, and left significant debris in its wake. (Jon Guegan)
However, after no signs of life were identified, Police Chief Robin Smith confirmed around 08:00 this morning that a "recovery" operation was now underway.
Since then, two more people have been confirmed dead, bringing the total to five. The number of islanders unaccounted for stands at four.
In a statement issued around 17:40 on Sunday evening, Mr Smith said: "As of 5pm today, Sunday 11 December, operations at the Haut du Mont site on Pier Road continue as a search and recovery.
"Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) strategies are in place and specialist officers continue to survey the scene alongside Fire and Ambulance Services and tactical advisors from Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).
"The number of islanders confirmed to have been killed in the blast is now five. There are still a number of residents, we are working on the assumption of four, that remain unaccounted for. Their families were made aware of this announcement before other Islanders. They continue to be supported by special officers.
"Our equipment and K9s have identified several areas of focus where possible bodies may be located. We continue to search these locations."
In a press conference earlier today, Mr Smith said an investigation to establish the exact cause of the blast was already underway, under the watch of a Senior Investigating Officer, but that it was "likely" to be a gas leak.
Fire Chief Paul Brown confirmed that his crew had been called to the Pier Road area amid reports of a strong smell of gas around 20:30 the night before the blast.
He declined to provide further information on what further actions were taken that night, but committed to operating "transparently" and providing this information in future.
The Health and Safety Inspectorate, social housing provider Andium Homes, and gas supplier Islands Energy Group are all cooperating with the investigation.
A large cordon remains in place around the area, and extending as far as Mount Bingham and Commercial Buildings. Officers will review whether it can be reduced next week, but a cordon around the immediate area of the blast is likely to remain in place much longer.
Mr Smith said the recovery operation would be "meticulous" and "painstaking", likely to last "weeks".
Follow Express for updates... and read tomorrow's JEP for fuller analysis of this weekend's tragedy...
◆ LIVE UPDATES: Major recovery operation underway after Pier Road explosion
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