A tanker truck loaded with 20 tonnes of pig manure exploded due to excess pressure in Cologne city in Germany.

The explosion Thursday splattered manure on a number of houses and cars, the ANP news agency reported.

The manure, being imported from the Netherlands, had become too warm, creating too much pressure in the tank which eventually burst, fire officials said.

Around 30 firefighters started a clean-up operation and some houses will have to be repainted, they said.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

pm/vt