Nairobi: At least three people were killed following a massive gas explosion in Kenya's capital on early Friday that sent a fiery smoke plume rising over homes, according to authorities. Over 300 people were injured in ensuing explosions, the Kenya Red Cross said on social media platform X.
The deaths of an adult and a minor were confirmed in Nairobi earlier on Friday morning and the toll is expected to rise as the day breaks, said Wesley Kimeto, police chief for the Embakasi neighborhood where the explosions occurred. Nairobi residents who took several videos with their phones were heard speaking in concerned tones, some of them screaming.
Many residents were likely inside their homes when the fire reached their houses late in the night in the Mradi area of the Nairobi neighborhood of Embakasi, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said. The truck explosion ignited a huge fireball, and a flying gas cylinder set off a fire that burned down the Oriental Godown, a warehouse that deals with garments and textiles, Mwaura said.
Here's a video of the blast
"The concerted actions of various response units have resulted in the successful evacuation of 271 individuals to different health facilities in Nairobi. Furthermore, @EMS_Kenya, in coordination with the Kenya Red Cross action team, promptly attended to an extra 27 individuals on-site," Kenya Red Cross said on X.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said a company was refilling gas cylinders when the fire started and it badly damaged the building where the company was based. "The building hosting the company is badly damaged. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area as rescue operations are underway including fire engines being deployed to the area," he said.
The blaze is reported to have spread through several apartment complexes, leading to fears the number of casualties could rise further, BBC reported. An unnamed eyewitness speaking to local media spoke of "huge explosions, huge fireballs, people screaming and running everywhere for fear of more explosions".
A company was refilling gas cylinders when the fire started and it badly damaged the building where the company was based, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said. The fire that started around midnight was later extinguished but the cause was unknown.
The proximity of the industrial company to residences raised questions about enforcement of city plans. Officials at the county government have been accused of taking bribes to overlook building codes and regulations.
(with AP inputs)
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