Huge fireball after tanker explodes on motorway near Bologna airport, Italy

A ball of fire is seen reaching into the sky

An explosion is seen at Borgo Panigale, on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy August 6, 2018, in this picture obtained from social media. Daniele Giovanardi/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

An explosion is seen at Borgo Panigale, on the outskirts of Bologna. Daniele Giovanardi.

Charles Capel
Aug 06, 2018
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An oil tanker explosion in Bologna, Italy partially collapsed a bridge on the motorway circling the city's airport, on Monday afternoon.

One person was killed and up to 70 people were injured in the blast, which happened around 15:00 UAE time today, police said. Police said they closed off the motorway, and the surrounding area in Borgo Panigale, on the outskirts of Bologna.

Bologna police tweeted that the incident happened on the highway, and images from social media show a huge ball of fire reaching into the sky near still traffic.

A video from Italian emergency services circling the motorway shows a black plume of smoke billowing into the sky.

This handout picture taken from an helicopter and released by the Vigili del Fuoco, the Italian firement, on August 6, 2018, shows black smoke rising in the sky after a tanker exploded on the motorway close to the airport, in Bologna. / AFP PHOTO / Vigili del Fuoco / Handout / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO/ VIGILI DLE FUOCO"- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
A picture taken from a helicopter shows black smoke rising in the sky after a tanker exploded on the motorway close to the airport, in Bologna. AFP PHOTO / Vigili del Fuoco

Footage on social media shows a car smoking on the highway before it erupts into flames.

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