Colombia fuel tanker inferno kills seven and injures dozens

There are fears that the death toll will rise further

At least seven people have burned to death after an overturned petrol tanker exploded in northern Colombia, local police say.

More than 40 people were injured in the incident on the road near the town of Pueblo Viejo on the Caribbean coast, the police said.

Crowds had gathered around the tanker to try to siphon off fuel when the vehicle burst into flames.

The injured were taken to several hospitals in the area.

Some of them have severe burns, and there are fears that the death toll will rise further.

Local officials said that some people ignored police warnings of the dangers.