In Kenya’s capital on Thursday night, a gas explosion claimed the lives of at least two people, with 222 others reported injured, as confirmed by authorities in the East African country.

The inferno ignited when a gas-laden truck exploded in Nairobi’s Embakasi district around 11:30 PM local time, creating a massive fireball, as stated by government spokesperson Isaac Maigua Mwaura in a social media post.

Video footage on social media captures the explosion, generating an extensive fireball. CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the footage.

The blast and ensuing inferno caused damage to residential buildings, businesses, and cars, as reported by Mwaura.

Tragically, two individuals lost their lives during treatment at Nairobi West Hospital, as confirmed by Mwaura. He expressed condolences, stating, “the government sends its most sincere condolences to the families of the departed souls.”

The Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with other agencies, tirelessly evacuated 271 individuals to hospitals across Nairobi while actively battling the flames.

A command center at the scene is orchestrating rescue operations and intervention efforts, as confirmed by spokesperson Mwaura. He emphasized the secured status of the scene, urging people to stay away to minimize disruptions to the ongoing rescue mission.