Islamic state claims responsibility for blast between Egypt and Israel

A blast struck the Al Arish-Al Qantara natural gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, three witnesses told Reuters.

A minaret is seen through early morning haze on the skyline of Cairo, Egypt March 21, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/RUSSELL BOYCE)
A minaret is seen through early morning haze on the skyline of Cairo, Egypt March 21, 2018
(photo credit: REUTERS/RUSSELL BOYCE)
A blast hit the Al Arish-Al Qantara natural gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, witnesses and local authorities said.

Witnesses said flames and thick plumes of smoke rose from the pipeline, describing the scene from vantage points in and around the city of al-Arish.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blast on its Telegram channel without providing evidence.

North Sinai local authorities said in a statement the fire had been extinguished and it had not affected gas supplies.

The scale of the damage was not immediately clear.