Maputo, Safar 18, 1438, November 18, 2016, SPA -- About 73 people were killed Thursday when a fuel tanker exploded in central Mozambique, media reports said, according to dpa. Private television station STV and Portuguese news agency Lusa - quoting provincial officials - gave the higher toll after initial reports said over 40 people had died. The victims were trying to steal fuel from the tanker after it had overturned in Caphiridzange near the Malawi border, STV said. The government said heat made the tanker catch fire, but some reports said it may have been hit by lightning. More than 100 people were reported to have been injured. The victims included children. Some people who were hit by the explosion ran towards a nearby river, Lusa reported. Injured victims were taken to Tete provincial hospital and other health centres. A team of senior government officials was preparing to travel to the site. --SPA 01:12 LOCAL TIME 22:12 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w271839