Gas explosion leaves eight dead in Bolivia

Oruro, Feb 12 (Reuters): A street vendor's cooking gas container exploded on Saturday night amid a Carnival celebration in the Bolivian city of Oruro, killing eight and injuring 40 others, police said.

The vendor, who was cooking deep fried llama rinds, had likely dripped hot oil onto the hose of the cooking gas container, prompting the blast, Oruro police chief Romel Raña said.

The accident took place on a crowded street not far from the main route of the festival's 4-km (2.5-mile) parade. Three children were killed and several others were in critical care, he said.

President Evo Morales on Saturday night expressed his condolences on social media.

"We are dismayed at the news of the deaths caused by the explosion," Morales wrote.