Terrifying scenes showed a tanker carrying a cargo of liquefied petroleum gas as it exploded in the South African city of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, killing at least eight people and injuring 50 others on Saturday.
According to 911 services officials, the tanker’s top made contact with a low deck, starting a fire that resulted in the explosion.
Pedestrians flee
Video footage posted by residents on social media showed the massive explosion, with pedestrians fleeing the flames and cars accelerating rapidly.
Local reports said many homes and vehicles were damaged in the blast.
The tanker was reportedly carrying gas to nearby OR Tambo Memorial Hospital, where some of the injured were being treated.
According to local media reports, patients in some units of the hospital were evacuated due to the explosion and fire.
Children among the dead
Simon Labing, a local resident, told the local Citizen newspaper he saw the bodies of six adults and two children.
Tanya Campbell, mayor of Ekorholeni, the municipality that includes Boksburg, said the incident would be investigated.
