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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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Families of missing workers visit Didcot collapse site

The fire service say they “remain committed” to finding the missing demolition workers, after their families visited the site of the collapsed power station at Didcot.

Diggers are being used to sift through the rubble searching for the three missing people

Thames Valley Police said the families have spoken to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service about the search operation, and were reassured that they would do everything possible to find their loved ones.

We remain committed and determined to return the missing people to their families, and work continues overnight.

We are working with structural engineers and demolition experts to establish a safe way of working on site.

In addition the military is supporting the search for the missing people. They will be using a mini remote control vehicle to assist with the search for survivors at the site.This provides us with enhanced capability and their equipment and expertise will be invaluable.

– Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Dust covers the ground as investigations continue at the site Credit: Oxfordshire County Council

Police say they are working to find out how the building collapsed.

We are continuing to work with the Health and Safety Executive and all the emergency services to understand the cause of this incident

– Assistant Chief Constable Scott Chilton, Thames Valley Police

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