The explosion happened late Monday in the city of Cap-Haitien, Prime Minister Ariel Henry said.

“I learned, with desolation and emotion, the sad news of the explosion, last night, in Cap-Haitien, of a tanker truck which transported gasoline and which caused, according to a partial report, about forty dead, dozens injured, as well as extensive material damage,” Henry tweeted.

Haiti has faced severe fuel supply problems, in part resulting from a month-long blockade of fuel delivery terminals by armed gangs who were demanding Prime Minister Henry's resignation.

Last month, amid escalating turmoil in Haiti for protests over the fuel price hikes and gang violence, the US and Canada urge their citizens residing in Haiti to leave Haiti. (ILKHA)