• A gas-carrying lorry exploded in Nairobi’s Embakasi district, causing a fireball.
• The explosion damaged residences, businesses, and cars.
• At least 25 children were among the casualties, with the death toll potentially increasing.

A massive gas blast in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, claimed at least three lives and injured nearly 300. A government spokesperson reported that a gas-carrying lorry exploded in the Embakasi district at approximately 23:30 (20:30 GMT), triggering a substantial fireball.

The explosion resulted in damage to residences, businesses, and cars, as captured in videos depicting a large blaze near residential buildings. The authorities have cordoned off the affected area, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion.

Embakasi police Chief Wesley Kimeto mentioned that among the casualties was a child, emphasizing that the death toll might escalate.

The authorities indicated that 271 people, including at least 25 children, were transported to hospitals. Nairobi’s Mayor Sakaja Johnson noted that many of the individuals received treatment and were discharged, but at least 39 were sent to other facilities, some with critical injuries. An additional 27 people received on-site treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The government initially reported that workers were refilling gas cylinders at a gas plant when the blast occurred. However, authorities later clarified that a truck had exploded in its parking yard.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated that a fireball from the blast ‘spread widely,’ causing a flying gas cylinder to hit a clothing and textiles warehouse, subsequently burning it down.

“The inferno further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses,” he said in a statement.

“Sadly, residential houses in the neighborhood also caught fire, with a good number of residents still inside, as it was late at night.”

Authorities have contained the fire and initiated a search and rescue operation to determine whether people are missing or have sought shelter elsewhere.

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