At least three people died and 220 others were injured after a gas explosion rocked Kenya’s capital Nairobi city on Thursday (February 1, 2024).
“One Lorry of an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely,” wrote government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura on Facebook.
“A flying gas cylinder hit Oriental Godown, burning down the said godown which deals with garments & textiles,” he said.
“Consequently, the inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses. Sadly, residential houses in the neighbourhood also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside as it was late at night,” he said.
He said the injured people were rushed to various hospitals for treatment.
Condoling the loss of lives in the incident, he said: “The government sends its most sincere condolences to the families of the departed souls.”
He said the site of the explosion has been secured and a command centre is now in place to help coordinate rescue operations and other intervention efforts.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross said it has evacuated 271 people and rushed them to hospitals in the city.
“The concerted actions of various response units have resulted in the successful evacuation of 271 individuals to different health facilities in Nairobi,” the organisation posted on X.