Strong explosion of a chemical tank near the Cairo airport

The explosion, which caused a lot of noise, was narrated by many witnesses and Internet users. It did not occur inside the Cairo airport, as some said, but in a nearby chemical tank, army spokesman Tamer el-Refai said Thursday evening. The twelve wounded were "taken to hospital for treatment," security sources said.

مصر امنه والذين يطنطون هم مجموعات من الكذابين, كل المعلومات تؤكد ان الانفجار حدث في احد خزانات الوقود القريبه من المنطقه, المطار امن وحركة الملاحه استؤنفت

– مصطفى بكري (@BakryMP) July 12, 2018

"The rise of heat" caused this explosion, said the spokesman. It took place in a reservoir of a company specializing in "chemical industries" and located in an area controlled by the army. The scene was sealed by a strong police presence, according to an AFP correspondent on site.

Air traffic not affected

Fire and emergency vehicles were dispatched to the scene to control flames and rescue the wounded, according to this same source. The Ministry of Civil Aviation denied that the explosion took place inside the airport. "Air traffic continues," Ministry spokesman Bbadem Abdel Karim said in a statement. "Departing and arriving flights are not affected," he said.

The images of the fire quickly circulated on Twitter, including this video filmed by a motorist near the airport, broadcast by the channel Al Arabiya.

سماع دوى انفجار بقرب مطار القاهرة pic.twitter.com/CnDdDUJ7EC

– سكالانس ? (@ kingofnile1) July 12, 2018