A tanker truck carrying fuel in Haiti overturned and exploded, killing more than 15 people and seriously injuring 40, Prime Minister Garry Conille said in a social media post.

The accident happened today in Miragoane, a city with 60 inhabitants that was hit by a powerful earthquake three years ago.

Conille noted that the numbers were still preliminary and said the government was planning helicopter evacuations.

"The government stands in solidarity with all the victims and their families," he said.

Haitian hospitals are poorly equipped to treat victims of severe burns. The state of 12 million people is also facing fuel shortages as gang fighting makes it more difficult to import goods into the country.