Sierra Leone explosion - 92 dead after oil tanker collided with a truck and 'crowds gathered to collect leaking fuel' | The US Sun

AT least 92 people died after a tanker collided with a truck and exploded as a crowd gathered to collect leaking fuel, said officials and witnesses.

The explosion took place after the two vehicles hit each other in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone and the flames then spread, burning people in cars.

The fireball erupted as crowds gathered to collect leaking fuelCredit: Twitter / PRESIDENT JULIUS MAADA BIO/

People walking through the devastation as cars burnCredit: AP

The tanker and the bus after the blast in FreetownCredit: Reuters

Video shows a giant fireball burning in the night sky following the explosion, as some survivors with severe burns cried out in pain.

Charred remains of the victims lay strewn at the scene awaiting transport to mortuaries.

A further 100 casualties have been admitted for treatment at hospitals and clinics across the capital, deputy health minister Amara Jambai told Reuters.

The mortuary at Connaught Hospital reported that 92 bodies had been brought in by Saturday morning.

Around 30 severely burned victims were not expected to survive, according to staff.

Victims included people who had flocked to collect fuel leaking from the ruptured vehicle, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of the port city.

The majority of the victims were street vendors and motorcyclists, many of whom were caught in the blaze while trying to retrieve fuel, witness Jusu Jacka Yorma who was at the scene.