8 killed in South Africa fuel tanker explosion
- The top of the truck, which was carrying liquefied petroleum gas, scraped a low-lying bridge, sparking flames that caused the blast
- The explosion also left 50 others injured, and damaged several houses and vehicles
A truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas has exploded in the South African town of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, killing at least 8 people and injuring 50 others on Saturday, officials said.
The top of the truck scraped a low-lying bridge, sparking flames that caused the explosion, according to emergency services officials.
Video footage shared by residents on social media showed the dramatic explosion, with pedestrians running away from the blaze and cars dramatically speeding away.
Several houses and vehicles have been damaged by the explosion, according to local reports.
The tanker was reportedly delivering gas to the nearby O.R. Tambo Memorial Hospital, where some of the injured were treated.
Patients in some units at the hospital had to be evacuated because of the explosion and fire, according to local media reports.
“Walking through here was just a sight of absolute devastation, I have never seen something like this ever before,” local resident Simon Lapping told the local Citizen newspaper.