CAIRO, July 7 (Reuters) – A fire broke out on Monday at a key Telecom Egypt data centre in Cairo, killing four workers and injuring at least 22 others, according to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for Egypt’s Health Ministry. The blaze caused widespread communication disruptions across the capital, including halted phone calls and reduced internet connectivity.
The fire, reportedly contained on Monday, severely impacted national connectivity, which dropped to 62% of normal levels as per internet monitoring group Netblocks. Services are expected to be gradually restored within 24 hours, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, announced.
Telecom Egypt mourned the loss of its employees and offered support to their families. Injuries were mostly due to smoke inhalation. The Health Ministry provided alternative ambulance contact numbers amid service disruptions.
The fire also affected digital banking operations, including credit card transactions, ATMs, and online services, though banks were closed on the day of the incident. An initial investigation suggests an electrical short circuit as the likely cause.
State news agency MENA reported the fire was prevented from spreading further within the building and to adjacent rooftops.
