Nairobi gas explosion: At least 3 dead, hundreds injured in Kenya’s capital

2- February-2024

At least two people were killed and more than 200 injured in a massive fire when a truck laden with gas exploded in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The explosion ignited a “huge ball of fire that spread widely”, government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura said on Friday.

“Consequently, the inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium sized businesses,” he posted on X, adding that “residential houses in the [neighbourhood] also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside as it was late at night”.

Earlier, the Kenyan Red Cross had reported nearly 300 injured.

The fire broke out on Thursday night in the Embakasi neighbourhood southeast of the capital.

Police cordoned off the affected area, but some people could be seen collecting their belongings and surveying the damage. Firefighters were still working to control the

The scene has now been secured and a command [centre] is now in place to help coordinate rescue operations and other intervention efforts,” said Mwaura.

At least two dead, hundreds injured in massive fire in Kenyan capital
Firemen fight the blaze following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. [Luis Tato/AFP]
At least two dead, hundreds injured in massive fire in Kenyan capital
People with burn injuries are treated at the scene of the fire. [Simon Maina/AFP]
At least two dead, hundreds injured in massive fire in Kenyan capital
More than 200 injured people have been transferred to different hospitals, according to the Kenyan Red Cross. [Luis Tato/AFP]
At least two dead, hundreds injured in massive fire in Kenyan capital
A resident reacts after her father was killed in the explosion at the makeshift gas cylinder refilling depot. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]
At least two dead, hundreds injured in massive fire in Kenyan capital
The fire started around midnight, and firefighters on Friday were still putting out flames that had spread to nearby warehouses. [Luis Tato/AFP]