three people are confirmed dead, and others are missing, after an explosion destroyed a block of flats injersey. the blast happened at about four o'clock this morning. some residents had yesterday reported smelling gas in the area. specialist equipment has been

brought in from the mainland to help the search and rescue operation — which could take days. it is, as i described this morning, a scene of utter devastation. i mean, the building has completely collapsed, it is — it doesn't even look like a building was. we'll have the latest live from jersey. also this evening: history and hysteria. another shock in the world cup in qatar. morocco defeat portugal, to become the first ever african side to reach the semi—finals. and it's not long til kick off — england are preparing to take on the reigning champions france. history beckons for england, if they can beat the defending champions, gareth southgate will become the first england manager to reach two world cup semifinals two world cup semifinals and...

xylophone jingle. hello campers, rise and shine. ruth madoc, one of the stars of hi—de—hi in the 1980s, has died, at the age of 79. good evening. three people are known to have died after an explosion flattened a three storey block of flats onjersey — and rescue teams are searching for people who are still missing. the blast happened about four o'clock this morning in the capital, st helier. police have described the scene as one of "utter devastation" . in a news conference in the last hour, it was confirmed that the fire brigade attended the area yesterday evening, after some residents had reported smelling gas.

a warning that this report from our correspondent robert hall contains footage of the explosion. it sounded like a roll of thunder, according to eyewitnesses, a huge explosion in a residential area overlooking st helier�*s harbour. a security camera on a cafe half a mile away captured the blast and the subsequent fire. emergency services were on the scene within a few minutes, they found one three—storey block of flats virtually demolished, with adjoining buildings on fire or badly damaged. the explosion had hurled debris and glass over an area several hundred yards across. we heard an explosion about 4am this morning, 3.30, liam, we got up and we found in ourflat all the windows had been put in, the staircase had been damaged, and there was fire everywhere. every available emergency vehicle was sent to the scene, as island authorities declared a major incident and the hospital's

emergency department closed to non—urgent cases. it is, as i described this morning, a scene of utter devastation. i mean, the building has completely collapsed. it is — it doesn't even look like a building was. the collapsed building poses huge challenges for a search operation. although gas and water have been cut off, there were still pockets of fire this afternoon and the debris pile remains unstable. the primary challenge is, one, it is dangerous to operate in and around the area. and secondly, anything that we do or don't do in the wrong way might then jeopardise the chances of survival for somebody who might yet be able to be rescued. meanwhile, dozens of people have been evacuated to st helier�*s town hall and provided with clothing, food and warmth, while efforts are under way to rehouse them as temperatures continue to fall. for the people in the run—up to christmas, effectively being told they cannot be at home, that is clearly going to be

an enormous disruption to them. but i am sure will do all we can to make sure they have a good christmas. this is the second tragedy to hit jersey in the past few days. the island is still grieving the loss of three local fishermen following a collision between their vessel and a ferry. a recovery operation of the wreck site is due tomorrow. the cause of last night's explosion is still unconfirmed, but police are following up information that fire crews were called to the flats in the hours before the blast, following residence�*s concerns about a smell of gas. the search for further victims is expected to last several days. and robert hall is live for us now in st helier. what for us now in st helier. more is going on now, wha be what more is going on now, what can be done? ~ g ., what more is going on now, what can be done? ~ g. _, ., , be done? well, jane the conditions couldn't be — be done? well, jane the conditions couldn't be much _ be done? well, jane the conditions couldn't be much worse, _ be done? well, jane the conditions couldn't be much worse, it - be done? well, jane the conditions couldn't be much worse, it is - couldn't be much worse, it is raining, freezing cold but never the les the emergency services have made

it clear they are going to work 24/7 in the hopes of reaching survivors, certainly this is a critical period. it is tricky from this distance, i am going to get the cameraman to tighten the shot. you can see the flood lights are on, at the back of the site. that wall is where a three storey block of flats was standing until 4am, storey block of flats was standing until4am, now storey block of flats was standing until 4am, now there isjust rubble on the ground, a big pile of rubble, which is as the fire chief indicates in that report really difficult and they know full well with these conditions and the condition of the site, if they are going to reach anybody they have to go terribly carefully and yet there is a sense of urgency, so it is going to be awkward and has been indicated today, this second tragedy has put the island under a great deal of pressure. the island under a great deal of ressure. ., , ., ~ , ., the island under a great deal of ressure. , ., ~ ,, .,, pressure. robert, thank you. robert hall. manchester airport had to close its runways this morning because of heavy snowfall, disrupting dozens of flights. one runway had reopened by late morning and the airport advised passengers to contact their airline

for the latest information. temperatures are forecast to fall as low as minus ten degrees celsius in some parts of the uk this weekend. to the world cup now, and there's been another major upset — morocco has knocked out portugal, becoming the first ever african team to reach the semi—finals. our sports correspondent nesta mcgregor was watching. morocco had been this world cup�*s surprise package. the pride of a continent, but also gaining new fans along the way. meanwhile, a new—look portugal, less reliant on cristiano ronaldo — again the centre of attention despite starting on the bench. if some fans were delayed entry because of a ticket mix—up, then those inside made up for it. the noise at times ear—splitting. and when youssef en—nesyri scored his second goal of this tournament, pandemonium.

was another shock on the cards? on the stroke of half—time portugal almost equalised. bruno fernandes inches away from a wonder goal. needing an equaliser, could ronaldo provide it on international appearance number 196? so many times he has come to the rescue. but not on this occasion. commentator: it's ronaldo. what a chance. despite a late red card, morocco held on. another outstanding victory, and the fairy tale continues, while cristiano ronaldo's world cup story ends in tears. so morocco have become the first african country into the semifinal of a world cup. history has been made. now we have the hysteria. but when will this amazing journey end? nesta mcgregor, bbc news, in doha. excitement — and nerves — are building as the england team prepares to take on france, in just over an hour's time. gareth southgate's side need to beat

the reigning champions if they're to reach the semi—finals. our sports correspondent natalie pirks reports from doha. it's not quite the big one. but when the undercard played out in doha this morning... that's an england ball, isn't it? ..the goals were flying in. a 7—4 victory to england over their friends from across the channel. england's a—team haven't quite found it so easy. the last two major tournaments have ended in heartbreak. it's mandzukic, is that the goal that has finished off england's world cup? but, as gareth southgate bids to become the first manager to lead england into two world cup semi—finals, he says his team are ready. some defeats that have hurt, but we've learned a lot from. and they prepare you for nights where you have got to produce the very best version of yourselves. we are ready to fight france for that place in the semifinal.

so far it's been plain sailing here in qatarfor england, they have only conceded two goals and have kept consecutive clean sheets in their last three games. but the world champions bring choppier water ahead. mbappe. france have scored nine goals in qatar, with each of the last seven scored or assisted by this guy. inevitable... france are unbeaten in kylian mbappe's 13 starts at major tournaments. no wonder they love him. as a guy, he is incredible, - nobody can stop, they want to stop, but they can't stop. of course i don't say we will win for sure, but i think we have the biggest chances and now we have to prove it. france's individual talent undoubtedly shines, but might england boast the better team? sometimes tactics go out the window, sometimes all the training you've done goes out the window, and it comes down to a togetherness, a team spirit and that counts for a lot. that is a big difference between

this generation and my generation. it's thought around 9,000 england supporters could be in the stadium tonight, so how are fans' nerves holding out? my head may go france, my heart goes england. for every mbappe, we have got a saka, a foden, a grealish. i we are really strong, - it's a good squad and i'm confident for a 2—1win. i don't think we need to go in with an inferiority complex, i think we've got a team good enough to win the world cup. a win for england tonight would set up their third consecutive major tournament semifinal. the french might call that deja vu, england will be opening it is not au revoir. the french might call that deja vu, england will be hoping it is not au revoir. and natalie is live in doha for us now — the wait is almost over. yes, these fans, the wait is almost over. yes, these fans. honestly. _ the wait is almost over. yes, these fans, honestly, they _ the wait is almost over. yes, these fans, honestly, they are _ the wait is almost over. yes, these fans, honestly, they are getting - the wait is almost over. yes, these fans, honestly, they are getting so | fans, honestly, they are getting so noisy already, and we have already seen the quarterfinals throw up that huge drama we had last night and

huge drama we had last night and huge drama we had last night and huge dram ma just now as you heard from nesta and the winner will play morocco in the semifinal. 0f from nesta and the winner will play morocco in the semifinal. of you can imagine thejoy morocco in the semifinal. of you can imagine the joy that has brought to the streets of casa blanca, their fans have seen them beat belgium, spain and now portugal. gareth southgate is going to stick with an unchanged side. england vie to win their third consecutive world cup match for the first time since 1990. history may favour france, england have only one once in the last eight meetings between the sides but at major tournaments during gareth southgate's reign we have seen steady progression, they have talent in abundance and there is a real feeling if they are going to win the world cup, the time is now. southgate says all the talking has been done, he has nothing more to say to the players, he will leave it all to harry kane, kane is one goal behind equalling wayne rooney as england's all time record goal

scorer but don't mention penalties, england lost 17 months ago, and these fans, well they will not want a repeat of that tonight. natalie, thank are you for now. the actress ruth madoc has died, at the age of 79. she found fame as gladys pugh in the hit tv comedy hi—de—hi in the 1980s. she also appeared in the second series of �*little britain', as daffyd thomas' mother — and until a recent fall, had been due to appear in panto in torquay this christmas. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba looks back at her life. xylophone jingle. hello, campers. hi—de-hi! a greeting familiar to millions. 0oh, what a scrumptious lunch we've had. veal and ham pie. it's my favourite. yummy—yum—yum! ruth madoc�*s gladys pugh appeared in all 58 episodes of hi—de—hi during the 1980s. the voice of radio maplin,

and chief yellow coat. hi—de-hi! ho—de—ho. she also had a barely disguised passion for the holiday camp's entertainments manager. 0oh, you are all heart! so sensitive. with so much feeling. it's no surprise to me. i can tell it by the way you use your hands. co—starjeffrey holland who played spike has fond memories of her. it was a joy to work with someone like her. and we had such laughs you know. i was very lucky to work with that comedy crew, and we never stop laughing from morning to night. i will have those memories of ruth forever. she has left us a wonderful legacy with gladys pugh. after hi—de—hi ended she often appeared in stage musicals. hello, boys and girls, and welcome to rhyl. the pantomime this year

is going to be brill! ad was a regular pantomime performer, as well as guest appearances in dramas like casualty. i don't mince my words, as you know. i haven't the time or the inclination, so, i'll out with it. she sighs. i should have said no to your proposal of marriage. beautiful! but she will be best remembered as one of maplin�*s most favourite and most loved stars. well, campers, it's a sad moment, but all the buses and trains are waiting to take you home. may i, on behalf of maplins holiday camp, say we hope you've had a wonderful week, and we look forward again to seeing you next year. goodbye, campers, and... hi—de-hi! tha actress ruth madoc, who's died at the age of 79. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. we're back with the late news at 10 o'clock. goodbye.