A gas-carrying truck collided with an automobile in the capital of Mongolia on Wednesday, resulting in a massive explosion that shot flames high into the night sky, killing six people and injuring over a dozen more.

According to the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the incident involved a vehicle transporting 60 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and happened early in the morning in Ulaanbaatar's eastern Bayanzurkh district.

On its website, NEMA stated, "According to preliminary results, three people died in the fire." Three firefighters had also perished.

It said that fourteen people were hurt, ten of whom were sent to have burn treatment, one child was receiving poisoned therapy, and three more newborns were receiving care.According to General G. Ariunbuyan, chief of NEMA, the preliminary inquiry revealed the LNG tanker had turned abruptly on an intersection and struck the automobile.

"As a result, gas leaked out causing the explosion," he stated.

When an AFP journalist arrived on the site, all that was left of the vehicle was twisted metal.

A few parked automobiles were reduced to burned husks, while windows of a neighboring school and apartment building were blasted out.

Images from the early morning blast revealed a fire inside one structure.

Additionally, according to NEMA, 80 people of an adjacent apartment building have been temporarily moved.

One individual told AFP that he had to leave his residence as flames broke out in it.
The bomb also ruined Ankhbayar Galbadrakh's automobile. "This shows city planning is really bad," Galbadrakh told AFP.

"All of these trucks -- with gas or without gas -- should travel outside of the city limit," he said.

- 'Tragic' -

While authorities cleared the rubble, nearby roads were blocked.
NEMA Director Ariunbuyan stated that firefighters had "worked tirelessly" to contain the fire during a news briefing on Wednesday.

Richard Buangan, the US ambassador to Mongolia, expressed his "deep sadness to learn of the tragic accident."

He said on social networking site X, "I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the NEMA staff members who lost their lives in this devastating event."

The disaster "shocked and devastated" Axelle Nicaise, the EU's ambassador to Mongolia.

End//voice7news.tv