Four dead in Pangani explosion

A security officer keeps vigil at the scene of explosion. The Pangani explosion occurred inside a Number 6/9 matatu plying Eastleigh route, a few metres from Pangani Girls School, and about 100 metres from the Pangani Police Station. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA

Four people have died following an grenade explosion inside a bus at Pangani area in Nairobi.

Police have confirmed the four so far, though there are indications that more could have died from the blast, with more injured.

Nearby Guru Nanak Hospital said they received 25 patients from the blast. Three of them died, the hospital said.

At the hospital, one of the survivors said he heard a huge blast from from behind the 25-seater matatu.

Ms Florence Ngina from St Johns Ambulance, who were one of the first responders at the scene, said she saw police evacuate about ten bodies.

The Pangani explosion occurred inside a Number 6/9 matatu plying Eastleigh route, a few metres from Pangani Girls School, and about 100 metres from the Pangani Police Station.

The impact of the blast spread to four personal cars in the vicinity. A Nation reporter at the scene says there were six vehicles in the vicinity damaged by the blast.

Police who had rushed to scene amid the rain earlier had to use teargas to to disperse curious onlookers before cordoning off the area.