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Pipeline carrying natural gas to Israel, Jordan explodes in Egypt

From Muhamed Sabry, For CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: Israel seeks alternatives as gas supply is cut
  • A natural gas company says gas has been switched off to Israel and Jordan
  • The cause of the blast, in suburban El Arish, is not immediately clear
  • In February, a gas pipeline in El Arish was set on fire, officials said

(CNN) -- Israeli officials said they will seek an immediate solution after a pipeline that sends natural gas from Egypt to Israel and Jordan exploded early Wednesday morning.

The gas in the pipeline will last a few more days, according to Israeli Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, who said the Israel Electric Company will "have to find an immediate solution."

The explosion took place in a suburb of the Egyptian Sinai town of El Arish.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known, and no injuries were immediately reported.

Ayman Jahin, general manager of Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, said a committee traveled from Cairo to El Arish on Wednesday to assess the damage.

In February, a gas pipeline in El Arish that sent natural gas to Jordan was set on fire, officials said.

The state-run MENA news agency said the February incident was a suspected terrorist attack.

It was not clear whether that incident was connected to the political unrest in Egypt.

CNN's Shira Medding contributed to this report.