A Day To Pay Respects

Books of condolence have opened across Jersey as the community prepares to come together for a vigil to reflect on the lives lost in the two tragedies of the past week.

Jersey's Chief Minister has laid a wreath near the scene of Saturday's explosion, which has claimed the lives of at least seven islanders.

Deputy Kristina Moore placed a tribute on the steps leading to Pier Road.

She was joined by the head of the public service, States Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie.

We now know the names of nine Haut de Mont residents missing since the blast which destroyed the three-storey block just before 4am on 10 December.

They are Billy Marsden (63), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73), Raymond (Raymie) Brown (71) . Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64), Peter Bowler (72), and the most recent to be named by their families - Ken and Jane Ralph (72 & 71).

Seven people have been confirmed dead, though formal identification is yet to take place.

Specialist teams are continuing to search the debris for the bodies.

Books of condolence have opened at the following locations (below) for islanders to express their sympathies for these lost islanders, along with the three fishermen - Michael Michieli, Larry Simyun and Jervis Baligat - presumed dead following a collision at sea last Thursday (8 December) 

Two bodies were location at the site of the sunken trawler L'Ecume II on Tuesday.

A Book of Condolence is now available to sign at the Town Hall for your messages of sympathy after Jersey's two tragedies last week. Please feel free to pop in to our Customer Services area when passing. #PoSH #Condolences #RIP #Jerseycommunity pic.twitter.com/CUGVGxxQrk

— Parish of St Helier (@StHelierJsy) December 14, 2022

Parish/Public Hall Books of condolence:

St Brelade: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

St Clement: M-Th 8.15am-5pm; Fri 8.15am-3.45pm 

Grouville: M/Tu/Th/Fr 8am-4pm (closed Wed)

St Helier: 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri.

St John: M/Tu/F 9am-4pm; Wed 9am-7pm; Thur 9am-1pm

St Lawrence: M/Tu/Th/Fr 9am-3pm (closed Wed)

St Martin: M/Tu/Th 8.45am-1pm; 2pm-4pm; Wed 5.45pm-7.45pm; Fri 8.45am-1pm

St Mary: 9am-1pm Mon-Fri

St Ouen: Mon -Fri 9.30am-12.30pm; M/Tu/F 2pm-4pm

St Peter: 9am-4pm Mon-Fri

St Saviour: 8.45am-3.45pm Mon-Fri

Trinity: 9am-1pm Mon-Fri; 6.30pm-8.30pm Thurs

On Wednesday evening (14 December), The Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Mike Keirle will lead a vigil service at the Town Church in St Helier.

It will be a chance for the island to come together and reflect on the incidents of the past week.

The Very Reverend Mike Keirle says people need a focal point to express something of the inexpressible when terrible things like this happen.

"It gives people an opportunity to do something symbolic to come along, and of course most importantly, to support the families of those who have been lost who are reeling from, the terrible grief and sadness from the events have have taken place over the last week."

There will be two biblical readings which are Psalm 23, I Fear No Evil, and Romans 8 where the Apostle Paul speaks about how nothing will separate him from God's love.

Islanders will also hear a solo, Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, and two reflections, one from the Lieutenant Governor and the other from the Dean of Jersey himself.

The Town Church's capacity is 350 and an overflow at the Town Church Hall next door, which will be livestreaming the service.

This service will be live streamed and available for islanders to watch online if unable to attend.

Politicians in Guernsey fell silent at the start of today's parliamentary sitting.

Chief Minister Deputy Peter Ferbrache said:

"Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the fishermen missing since the collision at sea on Thursday.

Such a tragedy in itself would have been enough to rock any community to its core, but for it to be followed by Saturday's devastating explosion is almost unthinkable.

The thoughts of all Guernsey people are with the Jersey community at this very sad time."

The Guernsey flag flying at half mast outside the States chamber in solidarity with our grieving neighbours in Jersey. pic.twitter.com/IiKzoWzM5k

— Steve Falla (@steve_falla) December 14, 2022