CAIRO – A blast hit a gas pipeline in Egypt’s restive North Sinai region yesterday, a security source told AFP.
“An explosion occurred (Thursday) evening along the main gas pipeline supplying the city of El-Arish,” said the source, referring to the provincial capital.
The explosion took place in the Sabika area to the city’s west.
Witnesses said smoke and flames from the fire were visible 30km away.
The cause of the blast is not immediately clear.
Egypt has for years been fighting an Islamist insurgency in North Sinai, which escalated following the military’s 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
Provincial Governor Mohammed Abdel Fadil Shousha in a statement said the blast did not cause any casualties, and “will not impact the gas supply” to the city.
Security forces are searching the area, and authorities have opened an investigation, said the statement.
In February 2018, authorities launched a nationwide operation against militants, focusing on North Sinai.
Earlier this year, the Islamic State said it blew up a gas pipeline some 80km west of El-Arish, claiming it was connected to Israel. – AFP, December 25, 2020
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