International Desk: The death toll from a fuel tanker explosion in a South African city east of Johannesburg has climbed to 34, the health ministry said.

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A truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) became stuck under a bridge in Boksburg last Saturday, triggering a leak and blast that instantly killed 10 people.

The country's health ministry said that the blast tore the roof off the emergency department at the Tambo Memorial hospital in the city’s Boksburg suburb on Saturday. Many bystanders were also injured, while it destroyed houses and several cars.

“The Department of Health can confirm that the death toll from Boksburg Explosion incident has risen to 34 as of Friday,” it said.

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The victims included 11 health workers and 23 members of the public, the spokesperson said, adding that the numbers were constantly being updated. The severe nature of the burns inflicted by the blast was expected to result in an increase in the number of deaths, authorities had earlier said.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised relief to the victims and said authorities were investigating the incident.

Sun News/MR

Death tanker explosion Johannesburg killed bridge people

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