UN chief expresses sadness over Kenya's tragedy

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon has expressed his sorrow and sympathy for the families of the victims of Monday's petrol pipeline explosion in Nairobi, Kenya, that has so far killed 82 people and injured 118 others. In a statement received in Nairobi on Tuesday, Ban extended his sympathies to the Government and people of Kenya. "He also wishes a full and speedy recovery to the survivors. The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people of Kenya at this difficult moment," the statement noted. The fire, caused by an oil spill at a Kenya Pipeline Company depot in the area, which is adjacent to the informal settlement, has caused massive destruction. The UN chief's statement came as police and Red Cross officials confirmed on Tuesday that more bodies had been recovered from a small river in the middle of the Sinai slum. "We have retrieved more bodies from the river in the nearby stream bringing the death toll so far to 82. Search and rescue efforts are still continuing," Kenya Red Cross Disaster Risk Reduction Officer Daniel Mutinda told Xinhua. Mutinga said emergency rescuers were forced to call off the search due to nightfall but mounted the efforts afresh early on Tuesday. Area police chief Thomas Atuti said the rescuers had collected a total of 75 bodies by Monday evening "but we believe there are many more still lying around mostly in the river that passes in the slum and those are the ones we want to continue retrieving on Tuesday." The move came as anguish and grief still gripped the area and Kenya in general. The oil pipeline that passes through the slum, one of the numerous in Nairobi, is said to have burst earlier on Monday morning. Some of those who caught fire jumped into a nearby stream to try to extinguish the flames when their clothing and hair caught fire, but many succumbed to their injuries in the water. Mutinda said emergency rescuers have placed a net across the stream to prevent the bodies from drifting away. The Red Cross official said it had also sent its volunteers to counsel affected residents as well as record and reconcile figures of people reported missing. According to Mutinda, other families were also expected to turn up at mortuaries to search for bodies of their kin, although most bodies taken there were burnt beyond recognition and required DNA tests to ascertain their identity. Kenya Pipeline Company whose fuel leakage caused the mayhem has warned the public against using the spilled petroleum product that saw close to a hundred people may be killed in a fire tragedy on Monday. "It has come to our attention that some members of the public are in possession of the spilled product. We wish to caution that the product is highly flammable and must not be used," KPC Managing Director Selest Kilinda warned in a statement. Kilinda also advised the public not to buy petroleum products from unlicensed persons to avert further disaster as he said the situation in the slum has been brought under control. Meanwhile, the United States has lauded the Kenyan government and rescue workers for their quick response and continuing support to the victims and their families. U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Jonathan Scott Gration said the numerous stories of how fellow residents rushed to help the injured while the fire still raged are a testament to Kenyan community and personal heroism. "Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to all whose lives have been affected by this terrible tragedy. On behalf of the United States Government and the American people, I offer heartfelt condolences to all those affected by yesterday's pipeline explosion and fire," Gration said. "It was a horrible and sudden accident, catching hundreds of residents in the area unaware. Our hearts go out to all of those who lost loved ones, are injured, and whose lives have been forever altered by this terrible event."