Three die in Nairobi gas explosion

By CYRUS OMBATI
Three people have died after a gas cylinder exploded on the roadside in Nairobi's Eastleigh area.

Witnesses and police said the cylinder exploded after a speeding vehicle hit a man who was pushing it on a wheelbarrow throwing it to the ground near St Theresa's area along Juja Road.

The dead included two women and a man, police said adding they were checking local clinics to establish if there was anyone with injuries.

Outgoing Starehe OCPD Aphiod Nyagah said the cylinder exploded after it rolled out of the wheelbarrow hitting the ground.
 

"It seems the impact of it being hit off the wheelbarrow led to the explosion. Three people who include the pusher have died," said Nyagah.

The Wednesday evening explosion caused panic in the area given it occurred near a petrol station. Police said two people died in one clinic and the third one in a different health facility.

Police arrived at the scene few minutes later and declared the explosion had been caused by the cylinder. There had been speculations over the explosion with many mistaking it for a bomb.