Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
People run for safety following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024.
CNN
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At least three people were killed and 280 injured in a gas explosion in Kenya's capital on Thursday night, officials in the East African country said.
The fire started at 11:30pm local time in Nairobi's Embakasi district when a truck carrying gas exploded, “igniting a large fireball which spread widely,” government spokesman Isaac Maikwa Mawara said in a social media post.
A video posted on social media shows the explosion, resulting in a huge fireball. CNN cannot independently verify the footage.
Residential buildings, commercial establishments and cars were damaged in the blast and subsequent inferno, Mwaura said.
“As a result, three fellow Kenyans […] Unfortunately they lost their lives while participating [to] at Nairobi West Hospital,” Mwaura said.
“Additionally, now, 280 fellow Kenyans have been injured in the fire and have since been admitted to various hospitals,” he added.
“Psychological Counseling Offered to Trauma Victims.”
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters put out a fire following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2024.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters put out a fire following a series of explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2024.
The Kenya Red Cross said it had evacuated 271 people to hospitals around Nairobi and was “tirelessly fighting the flames” alongside other agencies.
A command center has been set up at the scene to coordinate rescue operations and other intervention efforts, spokesman Mwaura said, adding that the scene is now secured.
“Kenyans are hereby advised to stay away from the cordoned off area to allow the rescue operation to take place with minimum disruption,” he said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
