Story By: Marija Petrovska, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN/@godoy_barahona
This is the moment a fuel tanker topples over on a bend, hits a lorry and explodes in a huge mushroom-shaped fireball killing two people.
The incident took place on the Chile Route 23 main road between the city of Calama and the town of San Pedro de Atacama, both located in the northern Chilean province of El Loa.
According to local media, the fuel tanker was travelling at 77 kph (48 mph) when it took the sharp bend and overturned, crashing into a lorry coming in the opposite direction.
Immediately after the crash, there was a huge explosion that created a dense column of smoke.
The local authorities confirmed that two people died in the accident and subsequent fireball.
Police spokesman Ricardo Chau said: “The explosion was the result of fuel combustion inside the vehicle. Firefighters are working at the scene to make sure there are no other fatalities or injured people nearby.”
The road was closed and cordoned off while a diversion was set up to allow traffic to pass around the accident site, according to reports.
It is unclear if the accident is being investigated by the local authorities.
In the footage, the tanker is seen overturning on the sharp bend just as a lorry approaches in the opposite direction.
As the two vehicles collide, a huge explosion sends thick black smoke high into the air.
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