Blast rocks gas terminal
Source: Agencies |
February 6, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AN explosion rocked a gas terminal in Egypt's northern Sinai Peninsula yesterday, setting off a massive fire that was contained after officials shut off the flow of gas to neighboring Jordan and Israel.
There were no reports of casualties from the blast at a gas terminal in the Sinai town of El-Arish. The explosion sent a pillar of flames high into the sky, but was a safe distance from the nearest homes, said regional governor Abdel Wahab Mabrouk.
The cause of the explosion was not clear. Mabrouk told Egyptian media he suspected "sabotage," but did not explain further.
However, the head of Egypt's natural gas company later said in a statement the fire was caused by "a small amount of gas leaking."
The Sinai Peninsula has been the scene of clashes between residents and security forces. It borders both Israel and the Gaza Strip, ruled by the Islamic militant Hamas.
The pipeline transports gas from Egypt's Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea to Israel, Syria and Jordan.
Egyptian authorities expect gas to remain shut off for a week for repairs.
There were no reports of casualties from the blast at a gas terminal in the Sinai town of El-Arish. The explosion sent a pillar of flames high into the sky, but was a safe distance from the nearest homes, said regional governor Abdel Wahab Mabrouk.
The cause of the explosion was not clear. Mabrouk told Egyptian media he suspected "sabotage," but did not explain further.
However, the head of Egypt's natural gas company later said in a statement the fire was caused by "a small amount of gas leaking."
The Sinai Peninsula has been the scene of clashes between residents and security forces. It borders both Israel and the Gaza Strip, ruled by the Islamic militant Hamas.
The pipeline transports gas from Egypt's Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea to Israel, Syria and Jordan.
Egyptian authorities expect gas to remain shut off for a week for repairs.
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