One dead, 17 injured in Egypt gas pipeline explosion

One man was killed and 17 others injured when the driver of a sewage maintenance vehicle accidentally struck a main gas pipeline in a Cairo suburb, causing an explosion.

MENA

2 min read

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16 April, 2017

Firefighters continue attempts to subdue the fire in New Cairo [NurPhoto]

A massive explosion killed one man and injured 17 others on Saturday when the driver of a vehicle used in sewage system maintenance in a Cairo suburb accidentally struck a main gas pipeline, Egypt's Health Ministry said.

Spokesperson Khaled Megahed said in a statement that seven of the victims were released after receiving first aid treatment while the rest remain hospitalised.

He told Egyptian TV channel Extra News that the deceased sustained heavy burns to his body and died at the scene.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Tarek Attiya said in a television interview that firefighters continue attempts to subdue the fire that obstructed traffic in one side of Cairo's major Ring Road, a highway that connects New Cairo with the rest of the capital.

He said the driver responsible for the accident has been taken into custody.

Interior minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar has reportedly visited the explosion site with the head of Cairo's security directorate and other senior security officials.

The explosion took place at the start of Road 90, the main thoroughfare and entryway to the upscale neighbourhood of New Cairo.

Magdy al-Shalaqany, the head of the Civil Protection Authority, told state news agency MENA that the gas has been cut off from other pipes in the area to ensure that no more fires erupt.

Security forces have closed all roads leading to New Cairo until the situation is contained.

The explosion and subsequent closure of roads has led to major traffic jams on the Ring Road.