43 dead in Mozambique truck blast: Government

At least 43 people were killed and 110 others injured Thursday when a truck carrying petrol blew up in western Mozambique, the government said in a statement.

At least 43 people were killed and 110 others injured Thursday when a truck carrying petrol blew up in western Mozambique, the government said in a statement.

At least 43 people were killed and 110 others injured when a truck carrying petrol blew up in western Mozambique. (HT Photo for representative purpose)

“The incident occurred when citizens tried to take petrol from a truck” in a small village in Tete province, the statement said.

“Because of the heat, the truck burst into flames, leading to the deaths of 43 people and causing burns in 110 others, according to investigators’ initial findings,” it added.

“Ambulances and medical personnel were deployed to the scene in order to assist the victims. The injured were evacuated to Tete hospital,” it said.

Authorities are probing whether the truck was selling petrol when it exploded, or whether it had been ambushed by residents, information ministry director Joao Manasses told AFP.