Fuel tanker explosion in the largest city of South Africa, Johannesburg has claimed at least 10 lives and 40 others in severe injury according to the emergency services.
Al Jazeera report said that the explosion happened on Saturday morning in the city of Boksburg after the tanker, which was transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), got caught beneath a bridge close to a hospital and houses.
“Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, the tanker exploded,” he said.
The driver was among those who was injured but has been taken to the hospital, he added.
He said the death toll had risen to 10 from the nine reported earlier.
Videos 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 OR 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, media reports said.
“Walking through here was just a sight of absolute devastation. I have never seen something like this ever 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 15 others are seriously hurt but in stable condition, said Ntadi from the emergency services.
Six firefighters were also lightly injured, he said.
The incident will be investigated, said Tania Campbell, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, the municipality which includes Boksburg.