A gas tanker has exploded on a motorway in a suburb of Mexico City, killing at least 15 people and injuring 36, officials said, according to BBC News.

The Citizen Safety Department of Mexico State said the figures could rise.

Television images showed damage to surrounding buildings and cars in the area of Ecatepec on Tuesday, May 7 morning.

Local media reported that the explosion, which closed the highway between Mexico City and Pachuca, could have been caused by a collision.

A giant plume of smoke reportedly rose over the area, about 10km (6.2 miles) north-east of the Mexican capital, after the blast, which happened at about 05:00 local time (10:00 GMT).