Monrovia/UNI: At least 40 people died and 83 were injured after a fuel tanker crashed and exploded in Bong County in north-central Liberia, Liberian newspaper FrontPage Africa has reported, citing the country's deputy health minister and chief medical officer, Francis Kateh.

On Tuesday, the gas truck overturned in the Mulbah Hill Community in Totota and exploded shortly after, killing and injuring people who rushed to the site to siphon the leaking fuel, the newspaper reported.

The initial death toll stood at 15 victims and 36 individuals were wounded, according to the report.

The blast killed a woman and three children aged between six and nine years, among other victims, the report said.

Those injured are receiving treatment at the Phebe Hospital and others were transferred to the 14 Military Hospital, John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and ELWA Hospital, Kateh was cited as saying by the newspaper.