Three firefighters among six killed in gas truck explosion in Mongolia - officials

Fire trucks stand near the site of fire following an explosion in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, January 24, 2024, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Erdenebold Sukhbaatar/via REUTERS

(Reuters) -At least six people were killed including three firefighters after a truck carrying 60 tons of liquefied natural gas exploded in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday, according to Mongolia's emergency officials.

At least 11 people were injured in the fire near the Dunjingarav market, Mongolia's Emergency Management Office said in a post on Facebook.

More than 600 firefighters 100 vehicles were involved in putting the fire out, which was eventually extinguished.

"Unfortunately, as a result of the accident, three officers of the 63rd Fire Fighting and Rescue Unit of the National Fire Service were killed while performing their duty," the Emergency Management said in the post on Facebook.

According to local online news outlets, the fire quickly engulfed several nearby buildings, including a residential building. Scores of cars were burnt.

Russia's TASS news agency reported that residents of nearby houses were advised to evacuate.

"On behalf of the British embassy I extend my condolences to the ... officers who lost their lives during the tragic accident at Dunjingarav," Fiona Blyth, Britain's ambassador to Mongolia said on X.

"Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected and we wish a fast recovery to those injured in this tragic event."

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Michael Perry)