Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-01 22:00:00
On Thursday night, a gas plant explosion in Mradi village, Embakasi, Nairobi, has left numerous people feared dead and many with life-threatening injuries. The explosion, which occurred just before midnight, caused panic and chaos in the city.
Hours after the incident, emergency services, including firefighters, had not yet arrived at the scene, leaving the residents distraught and in need of immediate assistance. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with huge explosions and fireballs, people screaming, and power cuts. The fire spread to neighboring buildings, causing residents from surrounding estates such as Nyayo Embakasi to evacuate in fear of being caught in the inferno.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area as rescue operations are underway, including the deployment of fire tenders to the area,” government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said. The gas refilling plant was in the process of refilling gas cylinders when the fire broke out, resulting in several injuries and severe damage to the building. However, the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.
In an update shared by Kenya Red Cross at around 1:30 am, approximately 100 households had been evacuated from Mradi village. A multi-agency fire brigade, including Nairobi City County, the National Police, and the Kenya Red Cross, continued to fight the fire. Panic gripped the area as the authorities worked to contain the situation and tend to the injured.
The impact of the explosion was felt not only in Mradi village but also in neighboring estates, plunging the entire city into turmoil. The fear and uncertainty loomed large as the situation unfolded with no immediate relief in sight.
As the night wore on, the unfolding tragedy left residents and authorities grappling with the extent of the damage and the number of lives lost or permanently altered by the explosion. The aftermath of the incident will undoubtedly have a profound effect on the community and the city as a whole.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the resilience of communities in the face of adversity. As the community comes together to support the affected families and begin the process of recovery, the memory of the gas plant explosion in Mradi village will serve as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need for solidarity in times of crisis.
The incident also underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and response, as well as the need for stringent safety measures in industrial operations to prevent such disasters from occurring in the future. The lessons learned from this tragedy will inform future efforts to safeguard the well-being of the city’s residents and ensure that such a devastating event does not recur.
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