Egypt’s PM says swift response averted wider damage at Damietta Port

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said on Thursday that a rapid response by emergency services and state agencies prevented a fire aboard a liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel at Damietta Port from escalating, allowing port operations to continue normally.

Madbouly praised the emergency response, describing it as “an extraordinary national effort” that prevented what he said could have been a major disaster.

He said the affected vessel was connected to another ship through transfer pipelines when the fire broke out. Emergency teams quickly disconnected the two vessels, while firefighters brought the blaze under control before authorities moved the floating storage vessel away from the berth as a precaution.

Madbouly said the vessel was carrying liquefied natural gas, requiring extensive safety measures throughout the operation. He added that four Egyptian tugboats and their technical crews towed the vessel about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) offshore to eliminate any remaining risk to the port and nearby facilities.

“The speed and professionalism of the response prevented what could have been a major disaster,” Madbouly said.

He said operations at Damietta Port were not disrupted by the incident, with 15 vessels arriving and departing on Wednesday according to schedule.

Earlier on Thursday, Egyptian authorities said preliminary investigations had found that a drone caused the fire aboard two vessels at Damietta Port on 29 July. Investigations are continuing, and no group has claimed responsibility.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English