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At least three people are now confirmed to have died and a further 271 injured in a huge gas explosion in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

A government spokesperson said the blast happened in the densely populated Embakasi region after a lorry loaded with gas exploded, igniting a fireball that engulfed homes, businesses and cars.

Police say they have secured and cordoned off the area. An investigation is underway.

Venant Ndighila is Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager at the Kenyan Red Cross. He told Newsday: 鈥淲e are continuing to do search and rescue鈥�and conducting first aid and trying to evacuate those who were injured and so far, a total 271 people have been evacuated to various hospitals within the city.鈥�

He added that many people were being located hours after the blast: 鈥淏ecause of the shock, they left their place so they鈥檙e coming out and seeking support. We are also conducting a restoration of family links for those who were separated from their family members. We are also offering psycho-social support for those highly traumatised because of the explosions.鈥�

(Picture: Shows a man looking for belongings in the ruins of a gas explosion in the Embakasi area of Nairobi on February 2, 2024. Credit: Luis Tato / AFP via Getty Images.)

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