Rescuers say the deadly explosion occurred after a tanker truck carrying LPG became trapped under a bridge near a hospital and homes.
At least 10 people have been killed and 40 others injured in South Africa when a fuel tanker truck exploded in a city near Johannesburg, according to emergency services.
The explosion took place on Saturday morning in the city of Boksburg after the tanker truck, which was carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), became trapped under a bridge near a hospital and houses.
“We received a call around 7:50 am (0550 GMT) telling us that a gas tanker truck was stuck under a bridge,” William Ntladi, spokesman for emergency services in the region, told the AFP news agency. .
“Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, the tanker truck blew up,” he said.
One of the injured was the driver, who was taken to hospital, he added.
He said the death toll had risen to 10 from the previously reported nine.
Videos shared by residents on social media showed the dramatic explosion, with pedestrians fleeing the fire and cars speeding up dramatically.
Several houses and vehicles have been damaged in the blast, according to local reports.
The tanker truck was reportedly delivering gasoline to the nearby OR Tambo Memorial Hospital, where some of the injured were treated. Patients in some units of the hospital had to be evacuated due to the explosion and fire, media said.
“Going through here was just a spectacle of utter devastation. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” resident Simon Lapping told the local Citizen newspaper.
He said he saw the bodies of six adults and two children.
Of the 40 injured, 19 are in critical condition, while another 15 are seriously injured but in stable condition, Ntadi said from the emergency services.
Six firefighters were also slightly injured, he said.
There was no immediate word on those killed in the blast.
The truck was carrying 60,000 liters of LPG, which is used mainly in gas cookers and stoves.
The incident will be investigated, said Tania Campbell, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, the municipality that includes Boksburg.
“The disaster management group is on the scene helping the victims of this tragedy and evaluating the cause of the accident,” he said.
“On behalf of the city, the Executive Mayor’s Office is committed to assisting all actors in ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted and those responsible are prosecuted.”
