Egypt denies reports that explosion hit natural gas pipeline

Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry has denied reports that an explosion hit the country’s natural gas pipeline, which supplies Jordan through the Sinai Peninsula.

Pipeline attack denied

Taher Abdel Rahim, Director at the Ministry’s Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), denied a report by independent daily al-Shorouk, which claimed the pipeline was attacked early on Tuesday this week by gunmen.

The attack would be the second of its kind since the downfall of President Mohamed Morsi earlier this month.

Flow in gas pipeline already halted

Abdel Rahim stressed that gas supplies through the pipeline had been brought to a halt since an earlier attack by unknown assailants on 7^th July.

He added that measures are being taken to maintain the facility once investigations into the attacks have been concluded.

The Egyptian pipeline has sustained nearly 15 attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak.

Reported terrorist activity

Reports on Tuesday said that terrorists had bombed a gas pipeline, citing unnamed Egyptian security sources. According to the report, eyewitnesses saw gigantic flames coming from just east of El-Arish, and the explosion could be seen for 20 miles.

The security source told the newspaper that “there were no casualties, but there were significant economic losses incurred by the Egyptian economy.”

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

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