South Africa: Death toll of tanker explosion climbs to to 15

South Africa: Death toll of tanker explosion climbs to to 15

South Africa’s authorities Sunday said the death toll of a tanker explosion near Johannesburg climbed to 15.

A truck containing 60,000 liters of LPG gas got Saturday stuck under a bridge in the residential area of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

The top of the truck scraped a low-lying bridge, sparking flames that caused the explosion.

Saturday, authorities reported that at least nine people died in the explosion while 50 were injured.

“This is a sad day. It’s sad day for our province, a sad day for our country. And we want to extend once more our sincerest condolences to the affected families,” said Gauteng province Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

The tanker was reportedly delivering gas to the nearby O.R. Tambo Memorial Hospital, where some of the injured were treated.

The hospital had been badly damaged and had been closed, Lesufi was quoted by Africa News as saying.

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