Four Telecom Egypt workers die in devastating building fire

A tragic fire broke out on Monday in a major telecom building in downtown Cairo, Egypt, leading to the deaths of four employees and injuries to at least 26 others. The incident occurred at a key data center operated by Telecom Egypt, where the blaze began in one of the telecom operator halls and quickly spread to other floors. The health ministry reported that many of the injuries were due to smoke inhalation, with some individuals requiring hospitalization. The rapid intensity of the fire led to concerns about safety and prompted emergency responses from local health services. As the fire raged, communications throughout the capital were severely disrupted, affecting internet and mobile phone services. Reports indicated that national connectivity dropped to about 62% of normal levels, causing widespread issues including the halting of phone calls and complications with digital banking services, such as credit card transactions and ATM usage. Telecom Egypt responded to the crisis by mourning the loss of their employees and promising support for their families. The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, stated that efforts were underway to restore services gradually. Although some services were redirected to alternative networks, many users faced delays and outages. The incident also prompted the closure of the Egyptian Stock Exchange, as the trading system was impacted by the communications disruption. Preliminary investigations suggested that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire, as cited by a security source. Fortunately, the spread of the fire was contained, preventing further casualties in surrounding areas. The government has faced criticism regarding safety protocols and the infrastructure of essential public services following this incident, raising concerns about future preparedness for emergencies.