Fuel tanker explosion in South Africa kills at least 10; injures 40
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Johannesburg: Emergency services reported that a petrol tanker explosion in Boksburg, South Africa, east of Johannesburg, resulted in ten fatalities and about 40 injuries.
On Saturday morning, a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) became trapped beneath a bridge near a hospital and homes.
"We received a call at 0750 telling us a gas tanker was stuck under a bridge. Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, the tanker exploded," William Ntladi, spokesman for the emergency services in the region, told AFP.
The driver was one among those hurt and was brought to the hospital, he continued.
He claimed that from the nine reported earlier, the death toll had increased to 10.
About half of those injured were in a severe state, while 15 other people had serious injuries but were still alive.
According to Ntladi, six firefighters also experienced minor injuries.
Social media videos depicted a massive blaze beneath the bridge, which the tanker appeared to be too high to pass under.
It came from the southeast of the country and was carrying 60,000 litres of LPG gas, which is used primarily in cooking and gas burners.
Witness Jean Marie Booysen reported experiencing a "big jolt" just after 6:30 in the morning.
"Today is indeed a very sad day in our little suburb," she said, standing near a forensics team combing the scene.
"I went upstairs to have my cup of tea and I saw immense flames, I thought a house was on fire."
She said she later learned of the deaths of "two children here across the road, 16, the girl, and 25, the boy, who came and did my lawn every weekend for me".
People close reportedly felt the blast, according to William, another witness who declined to offer his last name.
"I think I was 50 meters (164 feet) away from the scene and when the third one exploded, I was about 400 meters away."
"We did burn behind our backs", he said.