[Posted at 8:56 a.m.] The fuel pipleline explosion apparently occurred about 10 a.m. local time (3 a.m. ET), possibly as a group of people were siphoning fuel from the pipeline, the officials said.
It leveled houses and burned some bodies to dust, said Carol Nduta, a Kenya Red Cross emergency medical instructor and dispatcher who traveled to the scene in Sinai slum, which surrounds the Lunga Lunga industrial area where the pipeline and a fuel depot were located.
"Almost the whole place blew up," she said.
Police confirmed that at least 55 people died. Nduta said scores more were dead, but their bodies had not yet cooled enough to recover. She said authorities expect to find more bodies in the smoking ruins of homes near the pipeline. Nduta said she believed between 100 and 130 people had died.
An unknown number of injured have been taken to hospitals, particularly Kenyatta National Hospital, Nduta said.
Although some structures continued to smoke and burn Monday afternoon, the fire seemed to be mostly under control, she said.
Nairobi police spokesman Eric Kiraithe confirmed the explosion happened as employees of the Kenya Pipeline Company tried to contain a leak in the pipeline and prevent people from stealing the leaking fuel.
[Posted at 6:31 a.m.] A fuel pipeline exploded in a densely populated Nairobi slum Monday morning, killing at least 55 people but likely more, police and Kenya Red Cross officials said.
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The kenyans bust holes in the pipeline to steal fuel. They are very poor and this is how some make their living. Someone lights up a cigarette or there is a spark then kabooooom. This happens fairly regular like. They are stealing though.
Kenyans are not the only poor people in the world,beggars are spread all over Europe, America, Africa name it, but i disapprove your sentiments and regard them as from one who carries the heart of an animal. At minimum you should have sympathy with those caught in the mix but were not involved in the siphoning rather than condemn the whole population. Kenyans are not poor and that's why the west comes to Africa to source for intelligent labor force and raw materials. Thanks though for your insincere comments.
The kenyans were siphoning off – stealing fuel from the pipeline.
I hate the oil companies as much as everyone else, but this would not happen if not for the kenyan people boring holes into the pipeline to siphon off steal fuel to sell.
Hi Banasy, Hi Jazx7.
Good Morning Mama
Nice.
Well, laquecia called it...
I wonder how *this* is going to affect out gas prices...
Hi everybody 8 54 is lars asz
@matata:
I'm sorry, but it seems that you're statement contains contradictions: are Kenyans poor or not?
"Kenyans are not the only poor people in the world,beggars are spread all over Europe, America, Africa name it"
"Kenyans are not poor and that’s why the west comes to Africa to source for intelligent labor force and raw materials."
You say you're from Kenya; educate us then, since you disapprove of our assumtions, and the article clearly says the blast was caused by people poking holes and siphoning.
Thank you.
@ banasy yep you r grrreat paul has a prize in you Always put everybody before yourself If paul ever dont take care of you let me know ill come there and slap him and wake him up
What i meant about a bear was Palins bears ha ha he he
Im sorry. I didnt mean to sound cold hearted. I do feel very sad for the people of kenya. I feel sorry for the poor everywhere. Im certianly not a rich or wealthy person myself. They siphon off a small amount of fuel to sell so they wont starve. I feel very sad for them. I was just trying to say it isnt all the oil companys fault. Im sorry. We hope you have a wonderful blessed day.
Thanks, gung hoe, I'll let Paul know!
is obamas family ok?