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'Highly unlikely' three missing Didcot workers still alive, officials warn

It is "highly unlikely" that three people still missing in the rubble of the Didcot Power Station collapse are still alive, officials have said.

The search has been hampered by the "unstable" section still standing, they added.

The station closed in 2013 and was in the process of being demolished when it collapsed yesterday, killing one and injuring five.

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'Unstable' building at Didcot slowing hunt for missing three

The search for three people missing after the collapse of Didcot Power Station is being hampered by safety concerns over the "unstable" section still standing, fire officials have said.

The 'unstable' building is hampering the search for three people who are missing Credit: PA

Assistant chief fire officer Simon Furlong said an expert from Cheshire had been called in to advise on how best to proceed in the search.

The remainder of the building is very unsafe which is hampering search. This is a very difficult situation with a very unstable structure.

The safety of emergency service personnel has to remain our priority, while recognising how hard this must be for families waiting for news of loved ones overnight. Our sympathies are with them, and the family of the person who died here yesterday.

An expert from Cheshire with similar experience is due on site today to advise on the search.

– Simon Furlong, Oxfordshire Fire Service

The investigation into what happened could take several days, he added.

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