Fuel tanker erupts into massive fireball after crashing on highway

A fuel tanker erupted into an enormous fireball after crashing Monday on a highway in northern Italy, leaving at least three dead and 67 others injured.

The fiery blast was so powerful, it shook homes near Bologna Airport and caused a bridge to partially collapse, according to the Independent.

An Italian police spokesman said at least three people were dead and 55 of the injured were taken to a hospital for burns, CNN reported.

The crash took place at Bologna Casalecchio and the junction with the A14 route from Bologna to Taranto, the network said.

Video on social media showed the tanker bursting into a gigantic mushroom cloud of orange flames and a thick plume of black smoke pouring into the sky.

Other posts showed cars at a Peugeot dealership on fire below the roadway. A building at the dealership had its windows blown out by the blast.

Italian news agency ANSA said the tanker was transporting liquefied petroleum gas and exploded on impact after colliding with a truck carrying cars.

Some of the dozens who were injured were struck by flying glass from blown-out windows, Italian news channel Sky TG24 reported.

Police closed the highway and the surrounding area of Borgo Panigale.

In a tweet, Bologna Airport said it wasn’t affected by the explosion.

“Huge #explosion on the #Bologna motorway, #Bologna airport is not involved, flights are running regularly,” the post said.