The death toll from a fuel tanker explosion near Johannesburg last weekend has climbed to 26, a local official said on Wednesday.

"In terms of numbers, the police has now confirmed that we are standing at 26. So we have lost 26 people out of the tragedy," the premier of Gauteng province, Panyaza Lesufi, said during a visit to comfort families of the victims.

A truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas got stuck under a bridge in Boksburg on Saturday, causing a leak and explosion.