East Africa's darkest moment - 100 people perish in pipeline explosion in Kenya

A cigarette butt was said to have started the fire (Pic: BBC)

The cloud of death continue hanging upon East Africa as barely three days after a ship accident claimed more than 240 people in Tanzania, more than 100 are feared dead in Kenya after a petrol pipe burst into flames in Nairobi.

The blast is said to have taken place in the city's Lunga Lunga industrial area, and firefighters were battling fierce flames that were threatening a nearby shanty town.

The pipeline runs through a densely populated area between Nairobi's city centre and the airport. More than 80 casualties have been taken to hospitals, officials said.

An ambulance service spokesman said that many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. It is not known what caused the blast.


CLINGING FOR LIFE!. . . MV Spice Islander passengers had to use anything available to save their lives. These clung to a mattress before they were rescued.

Police and troops have cordoned off the district, where residents said an earlier leak in the pipeline had prompted many people to rush and collect leaking fuel.

"Then there was a loud bang, a big explosion, and smoke and fire burst up high," resident Joseph Mwego told Agence France-Presse.

There have been other deaths involving people collecting leaking fuel: More than 100 people died in Molo, western Kenya, in 2009 after a fire on an overturned tanker.


Tanzania

Twelve divers from South Africa, arrived last night, to join hands with local divers in trying to retrieve the bodies of passengers suspected to have been trapped in the ill fated ship, MV Spice Islander that capsized and sunk, Saturday morning.


Rescue services and the general public, especially those who were rescued, believe that there might be many bodies trapped in the ship that sank. So far, the death toll has reached 240 while more than 700 people were rescued with some still receiving treatment for various injuries.



RESCUED! . . . President Jakaya Kikwete and First Lady Mama Salma visits Said Gerald who has been admitted to Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar after he was rescued from the ill fated ship that sank on Saturday. The one holding him is an Auntie. Pic: Full shangwe blogspot.