Egypt gas pipeline bombed
- 12 years ago
Saboteurs are being blamed for twin explosions that hit Egypt's gas pipeline to Jordan and Israel just hours ahead of the country's first free election since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.
The two explosions happened about 100 metres apart west of al-Arish in Sinai on Monday (November 28) according to witnesses.
State news agency MENA said the explosion was in al-Sabeel area.
Security forces and fire trucks raced to the scene.
Security sources said the explosions were detonated from a distance and that tracks from two vehicles were found in the area.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The pipeline, which supplies gas to Jordan and Israel, was last attacked on November 25.
It is the eighth such attack since Mubarak stepped down on February 11.
Egypt's 20-year gas deal with Israel, signed in the Mubarak era, is unpopular with the Egyptian public, with critics arguing that the Jewish state does not pay enough for the gas.
The government said this month it would tighten security measures along the pipeline by installing alarm devices and recruiting security patrols from Bedouin tribesmen.
The two explosions happened about 100 metres apart west of al-Arish in Sinai on Monday (November 28) according to witnesses.
State news agency MENA said the explosion was in al-Sabeel area.
Security forces and fire trucks raced to the scene.
Security sources said the explosions were detonated from a distance and that tracks from two vehicles were found in the area.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The pipeline, which supplies gas to Jordan and Israel, was last attacked on November 25.
It is the eighth such attack since Mubarak stepped down on February 11.
Egypt's 20-year gas deal with Israel, signed in the Mubarak era, is unpopular with the Egyptian public, with critics arguing that the Jewish state does not pay enough for the gas.
The government said this month it would tighten security measures along the pipeline by installing alarm devices and recruiting security patrols from Bedouin tribesmen.