Pier Road Tragedy: eight now confirmed to have died

Wednesday 14 December 2022

An eighth person has now been confirmed to have died in the major explosion at Haut du Mont flats on Pier Road over the weekend.

People released the update this morning.

In a statement, Police Chief Robin Smith said the number of islanders to have died in the blast early on Saturday morning - which he said is "likely" to be linked to a gas leak - is now eight.

"As has been our process throughout, the families have been made aware of this announcement before the public and media and are being supported by our specially trained Family Liaison Officers.

"The fatalities have not yet been formally identified. The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process must be carefully considered and managed in a dignified and compassionate way.

"I am sure Islanders will continue to join me in giving our thoughts to those victims, their families, and friends, in what has been a tragic incident for our Island and our community. 

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

Yesterday, Police released the identities of two more islanders who are unaccounted for, bringing that total to nine: Peter Bowler (72), Raymond ‘Raymie’ Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73), and Billy Marsden (63), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71).