At least two people have been confirmed dead and some 222 injured following a gas explosion in the Embakasi district of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
Isaac Mwaura, government spokesperson, said a lorry with an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas cylinders, exploded in Mradi village of the district at about 11:30 pm on Thursday, “igniting a huge ball of fire”.
Mwaura added that a flying gas cylinder hit a nearby garments and textiles warehouse, burning it down and causing the fire to spread.
“The inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses,” he said in a statement.
Advertisement
“Sadly, residential houses in the neighbourhood also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside, as it was late at night.”
Videos on social media showed blocks of flats and cars razed down by a huge blaze.
Several other blasts were said to have followed shortly, sending residents into panic mode.
Advertisement
Wesley Kimeto, Embakasi police chief, said a child and adult were among those who died in the explosion, expressing worries that the death toll could rise.
The Standard Digital said 167 victims — 142 adults and 25 children — have so far been treated at Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi.
Mwaura said the blast scene had been secured and a command centre has been set up to help coordinate rescue operations.
He asked residents to keep off the cordoned area in order to allow the rescue mission to be carried out effectively.
Advertisement
Add a comment
