2LT International News

CAIRO, Egypt – A loud explosion that caused fire and black smoke to rise from the area of Egypt’s Cairo Airport sent shockwaves in the country’s capital that soon spread online too.

Photos of fire and smoke rising from the airport were posted online, sparking further fears, with residents claiming to have heard a loud blast near the airport.

Further, a security source was also quoted as saying that air movement had been temporarily halted in the Egyptian capital after the blast on Thursday night.

However, amid the chaos and confusion, the country’s aviation minister issued a statement confirming that the explosion at two fuel storage tanks took place outside the perimeter of Egypt’s Cairo airport.

Reports across the local media later confirmed that two fuel storage tanks had exploded near the Cairo airport.

Authorities subsequently added that the Egyptian civil defence team brought the fire under control, with the aviation minister confirming that the explosion and the chaos that ensued soon after did not disrupt air travel.