“The situation was handled immediately in accordance with emergency and rapid response plans,” the ministry said, without identifying the cause of the blaze.

“The necessary procedures are being taken to assess the implications of the situation.”

The former head of the Damietta Port Authority, Major General Ayman Salah, told AFP that a “regasification ship” was moored next to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in the harbour.

“The regasification process takes place under very high pressure,” he said, explaining that any leak could lead to a fire.