At least 15 people were killed when a fuel pipeline exploded in Diwaniyah city, some 170 km south of Baghdad, a local police source said on Tuesday.

"We learnt that at least 15 people were badly charred and dozens of people wounded and evacuated to several nearby hospitals, " the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The powerful explosion occurred late Monday night when many countrymen in Hamza town, 25 km west of Diwaniyah city, were siphoning fuel from the pipeline, the source said.

Several fire engines and dozens of firefighters along with many ambulances could be seen in the area, but rescue efforts were hampered by a huge fire, the source added.

Source: Xinhua