Unidentified assailants blew up the Egyptian pipeline that carries gas to Israel and Jordan early on Monday, starting a fire and disrupting the flow of the gas, security officials said.
The blast took place in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, near the Mediterranean coastal city of El-Arish, which is 50 km from Israel’s border.
The Egyptian officials had no further details and there were no immediate reports of casualties. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
The blast is the third to hit the strategic pipeline since an uprising overthrew Egypt’s long-time leader Hosni Mubarak in February.
No one claimed responsibility for Monday’s explosion. Disgruntled Bedouin tribesmen in the area have been blamed for attacking the pipeline in the past.
