Boksburg explosion: Eight dead including children after huge blast near hospital. A large rescue operation is underway in the city of Boksburg, South Africa, after a fuel tank exploded close to the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital, where a fire broke out.

Eight people including children have died and many more are injured after a huge fuel tank explosion close to a hospital in South Africa.

Harrowing images show flames engulf the vehicle amid fears a number cars were also trapped after the blast, with smoke visible for miles.

A frantic rescue operation has been launched searching for survivors.

The blast, in the city of Boksburg, is believed to have happened while firefighters were trying to put out a smaller blaze after a tanker crashed into a bridge.

Officials said that six firefighters are among the injured.

It happened close to OR Tambo Memorial Hospital, where a fire broke out in the aftermath, according to local media.

Kyle van Reenen, a spokesman for private emergency services firm Emer-G-Med, said in a statement that there had been “several fatalities” as a result of the tragedy.

He said: “Reports from the scene is that a fuel tanker has exploded.

“At this stage we can confirm there have been multiple people left with critical injuries and several fatalities.”

According to The Citizen, the explosion happened after the tanker drove into a low-lying bridge.

Footage shows the truck on fire beneath the Railway Street Bridge before the massive blast causes a loud bang, with passers-by seen fleeing.

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Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesman William Ntladi told SABC News that eight people had died.

He said: “The gas tanker got stuck underneath the subway bridge and it caught alight.

“Firefighters came to extinguish as well. So unfortunately, during the operation of extinguishing the gas tanker then there was an explosion that affected the firefighters and fire engine.

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