World

17 injured, cars torched in pipeline fire near Cairo

July 15, 2020
Burned vehicles are seen following a fire that broke out in Egypt's Shuqair-Mostorod crude oil pipeline, at the beginning of Cairo-Ismailia Road. — Courtesy photo
Burned vehicles are seen following a fire that broke out in Egypt's Shuqair-Mostorod crude oil pipeline, at the beginning of Cairo-Ismailia Road. — Courtesy photo

CAIRO — Seventeen people were injured as a major fire broke out after a leak of oil from the Shuqair-Mostorod pipeline next to a busy highway in a Cairo suburb on Tuesday, authorities said.

The pipeline runs along a motorway on the outskirts of the capital and a spark caused by passing cars ignited crude that was leaking from the pipe, the petroleum ministry said.

The pipeline’s valves were immediately closed in the area of the blaze and the flames were brought under control, it added in a statement.

A witness at the scene said about two dozen cars were torched, apparently abandoned by motorists. A video posted online showed two residents pulling an injured person away from the highway while thick plumes of smoked billowed skyward.

There was no immediate word from authorities on why the pipeline had leaked. The state prosecutor dispatched a team to investigate, a statement said.

The crude pipeline runs from the Red Sea oil port of Shuqair to the refinery complex of Mostorod in Greater Cairo. — Agencies


July 15, 2020
420 views
HIGHLIGHTS
World
2 hours ago

India opposition leader Kejriwal to remain in jail in corruption case

World
5 hours ago

Baltimore bridge collapse: Divers find two bodies in submerged truck

World
5 hours ago

US urges fair legal process for India opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal