3 Deaths Following the Outbreak of a Fire in a Commercial Mall Explosion Resulting from the Use of a Helium Gas Cylinder

The early hours of the first day of Eid al-Fitr witnessed a state of panic in Damietta Governorate in northern Egypt, following a massive fire that broke out inside a mall in New Damietta City while balloons were being prepared, turning the festive atmosphere into a tragic scene that caused widespread concern among residents.

The Ministry of Health and Population announced that the number of injuries in the mall fire had risen to 32, along with 3 confirmed deaths, noting that ambulance teams responded immediately upon receiving the report.

Explosion Inside a Commercial Shop The ministry explained that it dispatched 16 fully equipped ambulances to the scene to transport the injured to hospitals across the governorate. Injuries varied between bruises, abrasions, superficial wounds, and minor fractures, according to initial medical assessments at the hospitals.

Health authorities confirmed that the overall condition of most of the injured is stable, noting that 18 cases have been discharged after receiving the necessary care and improving their health, while the remaining cases remain under close medical observation until full recovery, with hospitals in nearby areas placed on high alert.

Security authorities received a report of an explosion inside a commercial shop due to the use of a helium gas cylinder to fill promotional balloons, which led to a rapid outbreak of fire that spread throughout parts of the mall before civil defense teams managed to contain it. The shop owner was detained, and a formal investigation was opened to take the necessary legal measures.