Fire Outbreak at Cairo Telecommunications’ Data Centre Kills 4 and Disrupts Internet

A fire outbreak at Cairo telecommunications’ data centre has tragically killed four workers and injured at least 22 others, causing major disruptions to phone and internet services across Egypt’s capital. The blaze broke out on Monday evening at the 10-story Telecom Egypt building in downtown Cairo, specifically starting on the seventh floor in the Ramses area, which houses a critical data centre for the country’s telecom network.

The fire at Cairo telecommunications’ data center caused widespread communication failures, halting phone calls and severely disrupting internet access. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to just 62% of the normal level during the crisis. This outage also affected digital banking services, including credit card payments, ATM withdrawals, and online transactions, forcing many banks to close for the day. The disruption extended beyond communications, impacting air traffic and causing the Egyptian Stock Exchange to suspend trading temporarily due to system inefficiencies.

The health ministry spokesperson, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, confirmed that most of the injuries were due to smoke inhalation. Some victims received treatment on-site without needing hospital transfers. The four workers who lost their lives were mourned by Telecom Egypt, which also pledged support for their families. Firefighters worked through the night to control the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the entire building and neighboring rooftops, although the upper floors were badly damaged and charred.

The fire began in an equipment room, which is a vital part of the telecommunications infrastructure. An initial investigation suggested that the cause might have been an electrical short circuit, but authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause. The incident highlighted the importance of the Ramses Central building, which manages about 40% of Egypt’s telecom traffic and serves as a major hub for internet, voice, and data services for leading providers like Vodafone, Orange, WE, and e&.

The fire outbreak at Cairo telecommunications’ data centre led to a significant breakdown in communication services, leaving millions in Greater Cairo unable to make phone calls or access reliable internet. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, led by Minister Amr Talaat, assured the public that services would be gradually restored within 24 hours. To minimize the impact, communications were transferred to alternative switchboards and other telecom hubs across the country took on additional load to compensate for the damage.

In response to the crisis, the health ministry provided alternative ambulance contact numbers to help those who could not reach the main emergency hotline. Civil defense forces recovered the bodies of the deceased workers and continued to support firefighting and rescue operations. Electricity was cut off in the immediate area as a precaution, and security forces controlled traffic to facilitate emergency response.

The fire not only caused loss of life and injuries but also exposed vulnerabilities in Egypt’s critical digital infrastructure. The disruption affected daily life, business operations, and financial transactions, showing how dependent the country is on this central telecom hub. Despite the damage, authorities remain committed to restoring full services quickly and ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future.

The fire outbreak at Cairo telecommunications’ data centre has had a devastating human toll and caused widespread disruption to Egypt’s internet and phone services. The tragedy underscores the essential role of this data centre in the country’s communication network and the urgent need for robust safety measures to protect such vital infrastructure.

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