<<Print>>

A huge gas blast in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has killed at least three people and injured nearly 300.

A lorry carrying gas exploded in Embakasi district at about 23:30 (20:30 GMT), "igniting a huge ball of fire", a government spokesperson said.

Housing, businesses and cars were damaged, with video showing a huge blaze raging close to blocks of flats.
The area has been cordoned off and an investigation is under way into the cause of the explosion.

The government initially said the blast happened at a gas plant where workers were refilling gas cylinders, but later clarified that a truck had exploded in its parking yard.

The fire that broke out as a result is reported to have been contained.

Embakasi police chief Wesley Kimeto said a child was among those who died, adding that the death toll could rise.

The Kenya Red Cross said it had taken 271 people to hospital. A further 27 people who were treated on site were later allowed to go home.

Its head of disaster operations, Vanant Ndhingila, told the BBC's Newsday programme that a search and rescue operation was under way. They are trying to find out if people are missing or have simply taken shelter elsewhere.

"There is still a search going on of whether there are bodies which have been burnt in various houses," said Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said in a statement that the gas plant was illegal and that it had rejected three applications for construction permits to build a storage and filling facility at the site.