Continued telecommunication disruptions in Cairo due to repair works on the main service center following a fire incident
A significant fire that broke out on Monday evening at Ramses Central, the main telecommunications centre in Cairo, has caused widespread disruptions to telecommunications services across the city. The fire, which started in an equipment room on the seventh floor of the 10-storey building, was brought under control just before midnight after burning for six hours.
Built in 1927, Ramses Central has served as a critical node in Egypt's telecommunications networks for nearly a century. The fire caused disruption to internet, mobile, and landline services across the greater city area and parts of Giza. As a result, residents and service users may still face intermittent outages while repairs continue.
Authorities and Telecom Egypt have confirmed that restoration efforts are underway, with services expected to gradually return within hours following the incident. The power to the building was cut off as a safety measure during firefighting efforts, which contributed to the widespread service blackout.
As of now, the fire has been contained, and officials are working on recovery. The emphasis has been on a phased return of services within hours and days following the fire. The Telecom Regulatory Authority is working to restore full service as quickly as possible, but no precise completion time has been announced.
The Egyptian National Railways Authority's nationwide ticket booking system has been disrupted, and media production companies, which host the country's largest TV and radio stations, have experienced communication issues due to the fire. ATM services and money transfer apps across Cairo have also reportedly been affected.
Thirty-nine people suffered injuries in the fire, according to civil defence officials, with the majority of injuries being from smoke inhalation. Cooling operations are continuing to prevent any flare-ups. Rescue workers suspect that a short-circuit caused the fire, but a more thorough investigation is needed.
Officials expect further disruptions to services until a complete evaluation and repairs are carried out. More populous regions of Cairo will be prioritized in the repairs. The injured, who included 10 firefighters, were taken to hospital for treatment.
Customers affected by the cuts are expected to be compensated, but details regarding the compensation packages have not been released. The Ministry of Health reported 14 injuries, including to several firefighters, mainly through smoke inhalation.
Repair work is underway at Ramses Central, and residents and service users should expect gradual improvement but may still face intermittent outages while repairs continue. The focus remains on ensuring the safe and efficient restoration of critical infrastructure, with the hope that full service will be restored as soon as possible.
The fire at Ramses Central, a significant telecommunications hub in Egypt, has impacted various services beyond just telecommunications. In addition to internet, mobile, and landline services, the Egyptian National Railways Authority's ticket booking system, media production companies, and even ATM services and money transfer apps have reported disruptions. The Ministry of Health, meanwhile, reported injuries due to smoke inhalation, totaling 14, which includes several firefighters.
