Fuel tanker blast kills 8 near Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Dec 24 (EFE).- At least eight people have died and some 50 were injured after a fuel tanker exploded near South Africa’s Johannesburg on Saturday.

Emergency services said the fuel cistern was being transported by a truck when it hit a low bridge in the city of Boksburg, to the east of Johannesburg, causing it to explode.

William Ntladi, a spokesman for the emergency services, said: “Apparently, a gas tanker drove under the subway bridge and got stuck in there, and due to friction, it caught alight.”

The powerful explosion rocked nearby buildings including housing and the Tambo Memorial Hospital some 100 meters away. Initially, victims from the blast were brought to the hospital before it had to be evacuated due to damage in its emergency room. EFE

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