Johannesburg (AFP) - Nine people were killed and about 40 injured when a fuel tanker exploded in Boksburg, about 40 km east of Johannesburg, fire services said Saturday.

The truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas got stuck under a bridge near a hospital and homes on Saturday morning.

"We received a call around 7:50 am. Our personnel intervened to put out the fire, but unfortunately the truck exploded," said William Ntlady, a spokesman for the fire services in the area.

Videos circulating on social media show a huge fireball erupting from the truck under the bridge. It is possible that the truck is too high to cross this bridge.

The spokesman added that the tank was transporting 60,000 liters of liquefied petroleum gas, which is used mainly in ovens and stoves, and that the truck came from the southeast of the country, explaining that its injured driver was taken to hospital.

Ntlady said that of the 40 injured, 19 are in serious condition, 15 others are seriously injured but are in stable condition, while six firefighters sustained minor injuries.