The family of a woman killed in a Western Sydney townhouse explosion has spoken out as support is offered to the local community.
Heavy machinery including a crane was used to move a large concrete slab to reach the woman, who was found dead in a grim end to the search mission launched just before 1pm on Saturday.
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Jasmin Mhey, aged in her 30s, was the only person unaccounted for after a number of people escaped the flattened units at Waikanda Cres in Whalan.
Five people were taken to hospital while a small number of other people self-presented to local health facilities, Ambulance NSW chief superintendent Ian Johns told reporters on Monday.
A frantic but delicate search to free Mhey spanned days, but was hampered by wet weather.
In a statement shared via police, the family of the deceased woman thanked emergency services for their search efforts.
“We especially want to thank all the police officers, NSW Fire and Rescue personnel and NSW Ambulance paramedics,” the family said.
“The family is so appreciative of their support, kindness and assistance.
“We’d also like to thank the public for their prayers and for respecting our privacy at this tragic time.”
Several rooms, including the one in which the young woman was trapped, were initially inaccessible to emergency crews because of a large concrete slab which blocked them.
But they were accessed in the early hours of Monday morning.
A body was located about 2.20am. Police said the woman was “yet to be formally identified”.
“We have been working with the victim’s family … providing them with that support they need,” Blacktown Police detective superintendent Darren Newman told reporters.
“It was a very confronting scene.
“It was felt right across Sydney in various other suburbs.”
On Sunday, neighbours told how the missing woman’s mother reacted when she found out her daughter was caught up in the blast.
“She broke out crying a couple of times,” neighbour Evelyn said.
“But then she kept saying, ‘My daughter’s strong, my daughter’s strong, my daughter’s strong’.”
Ian Johns paid his respects to the victim’s loved ones on Monday.
“A family is grieving, someone has lost their life in this incident, and we pay our respects to their family and friends and to this community,” he said.
Police are supporting occupants of the razed units to ensure they all have temporary accommodation, as plans are made for more permanent housing.
Darren Newman said NSW Health as well as Homes NSW would ensure those impacted by the blast were medically and psychologically “looked after”.
Detectives are expected to remain at the scene for up to 72 hours, accompanied by independent gas experts, to ensure the “best information available as to how this occurred”, Newman said.
Investigations are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
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