At least 61 Kenyans dead after pipeline explosion

[September 12, 2011]  NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- A local official says at least 61 bodies have been recovered after an explosion of a gasoline pipeline running through a slum in Kenya's capital.

Provincial Commissioner Njoroge Ndirangu says he believes the death toll from Monday's blast will rise.

Richard Lisiyampe who heads Kenyatta National Hospital says at least 112 burn victims have arrived and they urgently need blood donors.

A reporter for The Associated Press saw charred bodies scattered throughout the remains of burning shacks for nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) around the site of the explosion. Some were also floating in a nearby river filled with sewage. Other residents say they had jumped into the river after catching fire. There had been homes built right up to the pipeline, the residents said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- At least 40 people were killed after a gasoline pipeline running through a slum in Kenya's capital exploded on Monday, according to a count by an Associated Press reporter. An official said more than 80 people were hospitalized.

The AP reporter saw at least 40 burned bodies scattered throughout the remains of burning shacks for nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) around the site of the explosion. Some were also floating in a nearby river filled with sewage. Other residents said they had jumped into the river after catching fire. Homes were built right up to the pipeline, the residents said.

The pipeline runs through the heavily populated slum of Embakasi between the city center and the airport.

The total number of people killed and the cause of the explosion remain unclear. Police said they were still counting bodies. Visibility was poor because of rain and smoke. Fires still smoldered among the twisted wreckage of corrugated iron sheets and scattered possessions.

St. John's Ambulance Service has taken more than 80 people to hospitals around Nairobi, said spokesman Fred Majiwa. He said many victims are burned beyond recognition.

Police officers were at the scene but spokesman Eric Kiraithe said he had not yet received a report from them.

In 2009, at least 120 people were killed when they were trying to scoop fuel spilled from a crashed petrol tanker in Kenya.

[Associated Press; By TOM ODULA]

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