Afghan civilians die in fuel tanker blast
Afghan policemen and locals watch a burned out fuel truck, supplying a US-run base, after being targeted by a bomb near Bagram air base some 50, kms north of Kabul on October 26, 2011.
Officials in Afghanistan say at least 12 people have been killed and a further 33 wounded when a fuel tanker exploded Wednesday in the country's north.
The incident, which has been described as a terrorist attack, took place in the Bagram district of Parwan province, 40 kilometers north of the capital, Kabul.
The BBC cited a spokesman for Parwan province who said about 60 to 70 people arrived with buckets to collect fuel that was leaking from the tanker “after a magnetized bomb blew a hole in it”.
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It is understood that the magnetized bomb went off on Tuesday, creating the hole, and that the tanker burst into flames in a second explosion, on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera said the vehicle had been queuing to get into Bagram Airfield — the largest base for American forces in Afghanistan — when the second blast occurred.
Parwan province Governor, Basir Salangi, said the attackers aim had been to blow up the tanker at the air base. He told the BBC the deaths and injuries were caused by "a huge explosion followed by intense fire".
He urged people "not to risk their lives for fuel".
Al Jazeera reported that, every day, hundreds of fuel tankers come and go from Bagram air base.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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