ARISH, Egypt: North Sinai's authorities managed to control the gas of the station that witnessed an explosion on Tuesday. They suspended Egypt's gas flow to Israel. After the explosion, the police, army and the Civil Defense Authority headed to the area which the explosion occurred in. Mohamed al-Bana, the secretary general of Sinai revolutionary' movement, said that North Sinai's Governor, Gen. al-Sayed Mabrook and security and army leaders of the governorate, followed this incident. According to al-Banna, the governor stayed in the area for 3 hours until the fire was put under control. Al-Bana said that civil defense forces managed to save the area from a disaster when they removed the gas cylinders from a nest beside the gas station. The fire burnt the homes of the Bedouins nearby as well as animals. The guard of the station said that a man wearing a mask got him out of the station and warned him that an explosion was to take place, and so he escaped. The guard was unable to arrest him because he was armed. Sources reveal that the explosion was very strong to the extent that it destroyed the wall of the station. Mabrook said this explosion is similar to the others, and said that there are attempts to harm Egypt's economy and destabilize Sinai. He added that forces managed to control the fire after closing the valves. Mabrook also noted that it is this station that pumps gas to Israel. It is expected that the guard of the station will be referred to public prosecution for investigations that aim to arrest those responsible for starting the explosion. The fourth explosion of the gas pipeline that pumps gas to Israel and Jordan raised questions regarding how to protect the pipelines amidst these threats. It also raised the question of how to calm Egyptians when it comes to the matter of exporting gas to Israel.
