Nairobi Gas Explosion Claims Lives And Injures Hundreds.

By Caroline Ameh

A massive gas explosion rocked Nairobi late last night, resulting in the tragic loss of at least two lives and leaving over 222 individuals injured.

The catastrophe unfolded in the Embakasi district at approximately 23:30 local time, as a gas-laden lorry exploded, creating an enormous fireball, according to a government spokesperson.

The explosion wreaked havoc on the surrounding area, causing extensive damage to residential buildings, businesses, and vehicles. Shocking footage captured a fierce blaze engulfing blocks of flats in the vicinity.

Initially, authorities had identified the site as a gas plant, but investigations into the cause of the blast are still underway. Government spokesperson Mr. Mwaura revealed that the fireball’s impact was far-reaching, with a flying gas cylinder hitting a garments and textiles warehouse, resulting in its destruction. The inferno also spread to several apartment complexes, compounding the scale of the disaster.

Witnesses reported feeling tremors immediately after the explosion, describing scenes of chaos, including massive fireballs, panicked screams, and people running for safety. Many of the injured suffered from inhalation injuries, with at least 25 children among them, as reported by the Standard newspaper.

Boniface Sifuna, one of the survivors, recounted the harrowing experience to Reuters, stating, “I got burnt by an exploding gas canister as I was trying to escape. It exploded right in front of me, and the impact knocked me down, and the flames engulfed me. I am lucky that I was strong enough to get away.”

Eye-witnesses shared vivid accounts of the incident, mentioning “huge explosions” and people fleeing in fear of additional blasts. A journalist from the Nation newspaper, residing in the affected area, reported that residents evacuated their homes in the aftermath of the blast.

The Kenya Red Cross, via social media, confirmed their teams were diligently battling the flames, while government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura assured the public that the blast site had been secured. A command center has been established to coordinate ongoing rescue operations.

“Kenyans are hereby advised to keep off the cordoned area in order to allow the rescue mission to be carried out [with] minimal disruptions,” urged Mwaura, emphasizing the need for cooperation during this challenging time.