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KENYA:ONE KILLED, 47 HURT IN NAIROBI BLAST

  1. Posted on Monday 6 June 2011 - 15:38
    CHANNY
    Image of CHANNY
    Atleast one person died on Sunday, when an explosion hit a busy down town street in Kenya's capital,Nairobi.

    The blast went off along Kirinyaga street a busy business street common with car mechanics and motor vehicle spare part dealers. Scenes of confused members of the public running helter skelter were witnessed, as fire fighters battled the huge fire that engulfed an adjacent petrol station, while the injured were rushed to various hospitals.

    Confirming the death of one person, the Kenyan Police Commissioner told the press that it is still not yet known whether the blast was caused by a gas cylinder explosion or a bomb. But he did indicate that it could have been a bomb owing to the fact that buildings within the 200 radius of the explosion had their window and door glasses shattered.Witnesses told Africa news that the explosion was heard over one kilometre away.

    At the Kenyatta National HJospital wheremost of the injured were admitted,the Doctor in charge of Disaster Preparedness,Dr Peter Wanyoike, downplayed fears of a raise to the number of fatalities, saying that most of the patients sufferedminor cuts. He also added that most of them were in shock.

    Some analysts have pointed to a terrorist link. Security expert and retired army officer, Simiyu Werunga,told reporters that the explosive device could have gone off accidentally, as it was being ferried to another place-probably to the Kampala bound buses that are usually parked near the scene. he also added that the number of casualties could have been high,had the explosion happened on a weekday, when the place is populated by a high number of members of the public.

    Prime Minister Raila Odinga led a high powered government delegation to the scene,and announced that the government will foot the medical bills oft hose injured,and also the burial costs of the dead victim. He also promised a thorough investigation into the blast.

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