Fire trucks and Ambulances are seen near the gas pipeline facility in the Abu Sultan area of Ismailia governorate in which the explosion happened. Al-Ahram.
In a statement, the ministry said the incident occurred at 6:40 p.m. when a loud blast was reported at a valve complex on the gas pipeline during routine preparations for maintenance works.
The ministry clarified that the section of the line where the explosion took place had already been emptied of natural gas before the work began, meaning there was no gas in the pipeline at the time of the accident.
Initial technical inspections indicated that the blast was caused by the detachment of a launcher trap from its welded joint.
Emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the site, and the injured were transferred to Fayid General Hospital for medical treatment.
The ministry emphasised that the accident had no impact on gas supplies, as the affected section had already been taken out of service.
It extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, adding that all necessary procedures are underway to investigate the incident.
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