Reuters AlertNet Lite - LPG truck explodes, kills five in Philippine south

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LPG truck explodes, kills five in Philippine south

02 Feb 2007 05:21:53 GMT
Source: Reuters

MANILA, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Five people, including a 3 year-old boy, were killed and dozens were feared injured after a delivery truck carrying liquified petroleum gas (LPG) exploded in the southern Philippines, an army commander said on Friday.

Local radio reported about 20 to 30 people were killed after a packed bus drove past an overturned truck along a highway in Zamboanga del Sur, around 500 miles (800 km) south of Manila.

"Five people were instantly killed," said Ramon Ochotorena, the police chief in Zamboanga del Sur. "We're still investigating the cause of the accident."

Major Gary Lachica, a deputy battalion commander, told reporters that soldiers rushed to the scene after hearing loud blasts.

"We're helping evacuate people to safety. We have no confirmed number of casualties," he said.

Lachia said the leaking LPG cylinders exploded into a fireball just as the bus was passing on the opposite side of the road, wrecking the vehicle and killing and injuring dozens of people.

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Last updated:Fri Feb 2 05:22:34 2007