Official: At least 85 dead in S. Sudan fuel truck bast

At least 85 people were killed when an oil tanker exploded in South Sudan after dozens tried to siphon fuel from the vehicle, officials said Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said the truck veered off the road in the southern town of Maridi on Wednesday while "full of petrol," the Associated Press reported.

Residents were siphoning off leaking fuel when someone lit a cigarette, sparking an explosion. Ateny called it an "accident," according to Reuters.

Other media outlets put the death toll higher, citing regional officials.

Ateny said about 50 people were injured and were taken to local hospitals, which were overwhelmed, AP reported.