Nairobi/Yaounde - Dozens of people have died in northern Cameroon after a fuel tanker exploded, reports said Friday.

The BBC reported that around 30 villagers were trying to collect petrol from the overturned tanker when a bus that was trying to edge past set fire to the spilled fuel with its exhaust.

The entire area was then engulfed in flames.

Twenty people were travelling on the bus, but the exact number of dead was not yet known, the BBC said. (dpa)