Bombing of Electricity Pylon halts Traffic near Egypt’s Assiut

Unknown assailants bombed an electricity pylon in the early hours of Sunday, causing it to collapse and disrupt traffic movement to Upper Egypt’s Assiut governorate.

The assailants placed three bombs on the base of the pylon, which is located on the Cairo-Assiut Western Road, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

Authorities and electricity technicians have moved to the scene of the explosion to further examine it.

Egypt has witnessed an increase in bomb attacks and drive-by shootings, mainly targeting police and army personnel, since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

In recent months, attacks have also hit electricity pylons, economic and strategic posts.

Bomb attacks on pylons have placed further stress on electricity supplies, which have already been under severe strain for several years.

In April, assaults on electricity pylons supplying the Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC) led to a power cut that forced several TV channels off air for a few hours.

Source: Ahram Online