Cairo Telecom Hub Faces Second Blaze Amid Ongoing Recovery Efforts

An investigation is underway following two significant fires at the Ramses Exchange in central Cairo, where the initial blaze resulted in fatalities and extensive service outages affecting multiple sectors.

Another fire erupted on Thursday at the Ramses Exchange, a central telecommunications hub in Cairo, just days after a devastating blaze to which officials attribute the loss of four lives and major disruptions to vital services. According to state media and sources from the Ministry of Communications, the smaller fire was quickly contained and extinguished, but it added to the anxiety surrounding the facility's safety and reliability.

The first catastrophic fire, which broke out on Monday, had severe implications for the Egyptian economy and social life, leading to significant internet and service outages. Reports suggested that internet connectivity plummeted to approximately 40% of normal following the incident, as residents faced challenges accessing online services, banking, and transportation.

While authorities announced efforts to restore full connectivity, many users, particularly around the Ramses Exchange, reported ongoing issues. The telecommunications hub, managed by state-owned Telecom Egypt, is critical for managing the country's telecommunication needs, and any disruption impacts more than just digital communication.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited the disaster site and pledged to develop a comprehensive recovery strategy to return operations to stability. Meanwhile, prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine the causes of both fires, as attached fire suppression systems failed to prevent the spread during the initial incident.

Regulatory bodies are scrutinizing not only the operational procedures of the facility but also the adequacy of safety measures in place amid calls for enhanced infrastructure protection to mitigate such risks in the future.