A pipeline carrying gas from Egypt to Israel and Jordan running through Egypt's North Sinai has exploded after an attack by an armed gang.
A tower of flames shot into the air and forced the pipeline to be shut down, Egyptian security officials say.It is the second such attack in a month on the pipeline, near the town of El-Arish, just 30 miles (50km) from the border with Israel.
On that occasion, explosives failed to detonate. "An unknown armed gang attacked the gas pipeline," an unnamed security source told Reuters, adding that the flow of gas to Israel and Jordan had been hit.
Neighbouring Jordan depends on Egyptian gas to generate 80% of its electricity.
The valves controlling the flow of gas from the main terminal in Port Said, on the Mediterranean coast, were shut down to dampen the flames.
People living nearby were forced to leave their homes.
Egypt exports gas to Israel, Jordan and Syria. Recently, however, the deals have been criticised because of the low price at which the gas is sold.
Courtesy: BBC