Ateny Wek Ateny

Death toll rises to 183 in South Sudan fuel tanker explosion

At least 60 more people are unaccounted for, said Commissioner Wilson Thomas Yanga of Maridi County in the state of Western Equatoria, where the fuel tanker exploded.

The truck carrying petrol overturned Wednesday outside Maridi and then exploded shortly after hundreds of villagers had gathered around to siphon fuel.

Official: 85 killed in South Sudan fuel tanker explosion

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said Thursday 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.