Lit cigarette blamed for petrol tanker explosion that killed 85 people

The explosion happened in the South Sudanese city of Maridi.

A FUEL TRUCK has exploded in South Sudan killing 85 people, according to government officials.

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said that 50 others were injured in the blast which took place in Maridi after the truck veered off the road.

Citing the accounts of local authorities, he said the taker was “full of petrol” that started to leak and residents were siphoning off fuel when someone lit a cigarette, sparking an explosion.

Ateny said the injured were taken to local hospitals which are overwhelmed.

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