In an interview on TV3, he said, " It's unconfirmed, but the reports I am getting from the different hospitals show that 17 people have died so far."
Dr. Dsamani also provided information about the extent of the damage caused by the blast in the community of Apiate.
"The situation is really unbearable if you look at the whole village. It has been demolished, there have been some deaths and many injuries, and the buildings have collapsed."
watch the video here: