One dead, 17 injured in Egypt gas pipeline explosion

Spokesperson Khaled Megahed said in a statement that seven of the victims were released after receiving first aid treatment while the rest remain hospitalised.

He told Egyptian TV channel Extra News that the deceased sustained heavy burns to his body and died at the scene.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Tarek Attiya said in a television interview that firefighters continue attempts to subdue the fire that obstructed traffic in one side of Cairo's major Ring Road, a highway that connects New Cairo with the rest of the capital.

He said the driver responsible for the accident has been taken into custody.

Interior minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar has reportedly visited the explosion site with the head of Cairo's security directorate and other senior security officials.

The explosion took place at the start of Road 90, the main thoroughfare and entryway to the upscale neighbourhood of New Cairo.

Magdy al-Shalaqany, the head of the Civil Protection Authority, told state news agency MENA that the gas has been cut off from other pipes in the area to ensure that no more fires erupt.

Security forces have closed all roads leading to New Cairo until the situation is contained.