Blast destroys Egypt gas pipeline to Israel, Jordan

ISMAILIYA, Egypt - An explosion destroyed an Egyptian pipeline in Sinai on Tuesday that supplies Israel and Jordan with gas, security sources and witnesses said.

The security sources said the explosion happened west of the city of al-Arish. Witnesses said 15-metre high flames could be seen shooting up from the pipeline. The cause of the blast was not immediately known and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The army surrounded the area and the company operating the pipeline closed it down after the blast, which was heard far away from the scene.

The pipeline has been repeatedly blown up by assailants believed to be opposed to selling Egyptian gas to Israel since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February.

The last attack occurred in July when men with machine guns in a small truck forced guards at a station out and blew it up.

The pipeline is run by Gasco, Egypt's gas transport company which is a subsidiary of the national gas company EGAS.