Investigation launched into Alexandria Port fire

CAIRO – 16 December 2020: Minister of Finance Mohamed Mait ordered launching an investigation into the fire that broke out in the Port of Alexandria on Monday stressing that if it turns out to be the result of negligence, the employee(s) in charge must be penalized for not abiding by safety rules.

The minister thanked the Municipal Authority of Alexandria, the Egyptian Naval Forces, and the Fire Brigade for moving fast and extinguishing the fire before it extends to nearby locations.  

The minister directed the Customs Authority to accelerate in removing the containers abandoned by owners at ports as the grace period granted to those has been reduced to one month instead of four. The law gives the authority the right to sell goods not claimed by recipients after the designated period.

Chairman of the Customs Authority Kamal Nagm told press that the warehouse where the fire spread contained non-claimed general cargo and cosmetics but not any hazardous substances. He added that there are no human losses and that no damages have affected the equipment.