Nairobi, Kenya – A tragic incident unfolded in Nairobi as gas explosions at an industrial building left two people dead and hundreds injured, releasing a massive plume of fiery smoke into the sky. The Kenya Red Cross reported taking 271 individuals to various hospitals in the capital following the explosion. The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, stated that a company was refilling gas cylinders when the fire erupted just before midnight in Nairobi’s Embakasi neighborhood, causing significant damage to the building. The fire then spread to a nearby textile and garment warehouse, as well as damaging several vehicles and commercial and residential properties.
Mwaura also confirmed that two people lost their lives while being treated at the Nairobi West hospital, with 222 others sustaining injuries in the incident. The fire was eventually extinguished, but the cause of the explosions remains unknown at this time. Wesley Kimeto, the commander in charge of the police in Embakasi, warned that the death toll may rise further, as the two casualties included an adult and a minor.
The community was deeply affected, with Nairobi residents capturing the devastation on their phones and expressing their concerns and fears. One body was seen lying on the ground, covered with a blanket, while other footage showed several nearby houses engulfed in flames. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by industrial accidents, and authorities are working tirelessly to determine the cause of the explosions and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.