CAIRO — An explosion at a gas station in central Yemen ignited a large fire, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, according to health officials on Sunday.

The incident took place in the Zaher district of Bayda province on Saturday, as reported by the Houthi rebel-run Health Ministry. Over 67 people were injured as a result of the explosion, with around 40 individuals listed in critical condition.

Rescue teams have been deployed to search for those who are still unaccounted for, though the cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed.

Videos shared on social media captured the dramatic fire, which released thick clouds of smoke into the air and left numerous vehicles scorched and engulfed in flames.

Bayda province is under the control of Houthi rebels, who have been engaged in conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for more than ten years.

In a separate incident within Bayda province, the Houthis reportedly attacked and looted the village of Hanaka al-Masoud in the al-Qurayshiya district last week. The internationally recognized government mentioned that there were deaths resulting from the assault, although specific casualty figures were not provided.

Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani stated that this violent attack followed a weeklong siege of the village, emphasizing that it was directed at the citizens’ residences and places of worship, leading to numerous casualties, including among women and children, alongside extensive property damage.

Rights activist Riyadh al-Dubai indicated that the Houthis detained numerous men and ransacked houses, stealing valuables such as gold, cash, and other possessions. He also reported relentless shelling from the Houthis that persisted both day and night over a span of more than five days.

The U.S. Embassy in Yemen condemned the violent attack, stating that the “deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future.”

The civil war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi rebels seized control of the capital, Sanaa, along with large parts of northern Yemen, causing the government to flee first to the south and then to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition joined the conflict in March 2015, initially with U.S. support, to restore the internationally recognized government.

The ongoing war has resulted in over 150,000 deaths, combining both civilians and combatants, and has largely devolved into a stalemate, contributing to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world.