At least three people died and 67 others were injured after a tanker truck exploded on a highway in Italy

At least three people died and 67 were injured after a tanker truck exploded on a highway in Bologna, Italy on Monday.

Marco Granna, a spokesman for the local health agency in Bologna confirmed that 55 people were taken to the hospital for treatment of first-, second- and third-degree burns.

Footage of the incident showed an enormous fireball and plumes of thick, black smoke in the sky. The explosion ripped through the pavement, leaving huge holes in the road surface.

According to police, the incident took place at Bologna Casalecchio and the junction with the A14 route from Bologna to Taranto. At least two of the injured are police officers.