Locations Affected: Egypt
On 07 July, a fire incident at the main telecom building in downtown Cairo resulted in at least 22 injuries and a temporary outage of internet and mobile phone services. The fire broke out in an equipment room on the seventh floor of a 10-story Telecom Egypt building, damaging terrestrial network cables, internet lines, and multiple technical devices. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with initial findings suggesting it was likely caused by an electrical short circuit.
Impact of the Fire on Utility Services
- NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, reported that national connectivity was at 62 percent of normal levels on 07 July amid reports of the fire. Connectivity dropped further to 44 percent on 08 July.
- The fire caused disruptions in some digital banking services, including credit card usage, ATMs, and online transactions.
- Flight services at Cairo International Airport were also impacted due to the telecommunications disruption. As of 08 July, airport operations had returned to normal.
- Authorities published alternative emergency numbers for ambulance services across different governorates, as people were unable to reach the main hotline due to the communication outage.
- The blaze was contained by 08 July and was prevented from spreading to the entire building and neighboring rooftops.
Outlook on the Situation
Efforts are ongoing to restore services affected by the fire on 08 July. Telecom Egypt’s fixed internet traffic has been rerouted through the company’s Central Interchange Centre. Disruptions to telecommunications and internet services are expected to persist, significantly affecting businesses in the area. Authorities are likely to maintain security cordons around the affected building to monitor fume hotspots and prevent any recurrence of the fire. Traffic diversions and restrictions can also be expected in the vicinity of the incident site. Organizations are advised to stay updated on developments and implement necessary contingency plans.
