A natural gas pipeline exploded on Saturday in El Arish in Egypt's North Sinai, after mass protests broke out in the country more than a week ago, Xinhua local reporter said.

The blast occurred near a mining site, three km from the Arish airport. The Egyptian state TV said the authorities have turned off the pipeline.

Two people were injured and have been transferred to a local hospital, sources said.

The pipeline which links Egypt and Jordan supplies gas for Israel.

The fire has been put out and an investigation into the blast is underway.