NAIROBI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from an oil tanker explosion over the weekend has risen to 115 after more patients died of severe burn injuries.

    A statement from the Kenyan government put the death toll from the explosion at 115 after seven more people passed away at the Nakuru Provincial hospital and two in Kenyatta National hospital while undergoing treatment.

    "Overnight an additional nine patients passed away in hospitals-- seven in Nakuru Provincial Hospital and two in Kenyatta National Hospital. This brings the number of the deceased from the oil fire tragedy to 115," a statement from government spokesman's office said on Monday.

    Flags were flying at half-mast and official functions were put on hold all over the country as rescuers continued to pull charred bodies from the disaster sites.

    Kenya National Hospital (KNH) spokesman Simon Ithai said the public has responded very well to the appeals for blood and called on Kenyans to continue donating blood.

    The east African nation on Monday declared a week of national mourning for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

    The Kenyan authorities have been criticized for its failure to address public safety.

    On Saturday night, an overturned gasoline tanker exploded as hundreds of people were trying to scoop up free fuel. Nearly 200 were hurt in the blaze in Molo, about 170 kilometers northwest of the capital, Nairobi.

    Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the tragedy has highlighted the desperate condition of Kenya's poorest people.

    "Poverty is pushing our people into doing desperate things just to get through one more day. This being a rural area, there was no response by any disaster team because there is no such team," he said.

    Public Health Minister Beth Mugo has promised that the government will pay the medical bills for those injured.

    The authorities have not established the cause of the explosion.

    The incident came as the emergency services continued to search through the remains of a supermarket in Nairobi which was completely destroyed in a fire Wednesday. A total of 26 people were killed in the fire.