At least three hundred people were injured in a massive fire in Nairobi overnight from Thursday to Friday caused by a gas explosion, the Kenya Red Cross Society said today.
According to local media, an explosion at a natural gas plant caused large fireballs near apartment buildings in the Embakasi area.
Update: 271 persons have been successfully evacuated to various health facilities in Nairobi as a result of the coordinated actions of various response units.
Further, @EMS_KenyaWith the coordination of the Kenya Red Cross Action Team, an additional 27 people immediately attended… https://t.co/pQO9jUqoxl
– Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) February 2, 2024
A government spokesman said the gas cylinders were being filled when the fire broke out.
The building where the company is located has suffered severe damage, while the death toll is feared.
🚨#SeeA massive explosion at a gas plant killed and injured many.#Nairobi | #Kenya
A significant explosion occurred at a gas plant in Nairobi, Kenya, resulting in massive flares and fires near apartments in the Embakasi area. A… pic.twitter.com/LxCfyyhgdt
— RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) February 2, 2024
Eyewitnesses told local media that there was an immediate tremor after the explosion.
Deaths are feared
Midnight tragedy in Embakasi: Petrol tank fire kills several and injures several others.#embakasi #Mbakazi fire #EmbakasiInferno pic.twitter.com/NZEKBRre6t
— Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 2, 2024
300 people were injured
Thanks to the “coordinated actions of various intervention units”, “271 people were able to be urgently evacuated and taken to various health centers in Nairobi”, according to Red Cross X (formerly Twitter) in the Kenyan capital.
Another 27 people were given first aid at the spot, he added.
Victims of the Mbakazi fire are arriving at hospitals through various routes.#embakasi #Mbakazi fire #EmbakasiInferno pic.twitter.com/fL8A3lJPcN
— Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 2, 2024