A truck loaded with gas exploded and set off a massive fireball that burned homes and warehouses in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, killing at least three people and injuring 280 others.
Kenya’s government vowed that those responsible would be held accountable for the explosion that took place just before midnight on Thursday in the Embakasi neighbourhood, unleashing a trail of destruction and sending people running for their lives.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated that “One lorry [truck] of an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely.” He added that vehicles, businesses, and residential homes were engulfed by the flames, and the wounded were rushed to various hospitals in the capital.
The fire was eventually contained by Friday morning, but firefighters, rescue teams, and police were looking for people trapped in the area. Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua posted on social media about the incident. Gachagua said, “As we call for caution and adherence to the rule of law, those culpable in this unacceptable occurrence will be held accountable. The tragic and unfortunate incident … has caused deep agony and great pain to many families”.
At the scene after daybreak on Friday, several houses and shops were burned out. The shell of the vehicle believed to have started the explosion was lying on its side, and the roof of a four-storey residential building about 200 meters from the scene of the explosion was broken by a flying gas cylinder.
Alfred Juma, an aspiring politician, mentioned that he heard a loud noise from a gas cylinder in a warehouse next to his house. “I started waking up neighbours asking them to leave,” Juma said. He also mentioned that residents in the neighborhood had to run away after the explosion while the police cordoned off the entire area.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said it had denied permission three times last year for the construction of a liquefied petroleum gas storage and filling plant at the site of the explosion, noting “the high population density around the proposed site”. However, residents alleged that the gas businesses in the neighborhood had operated with impunity and little regard for citizens’ safety.
Kenya’s government has taken measures to investigate the cause of the explosion, which was felt several kilometers away.
The explosion in Nairobi has caused widespread devastation, and the government has promised thorough investigations to hold those responsible to account. The incident has deeply affected the community, leading to discussions about the safety and regulation of gas businesses in residential areas.
The tragic event highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and compliance of industrial facilities to protect the lives and properties of citizens.
