There are conflicting reports over the cause of the explosion, but reports say it happened just outside the airport and flights are still taking off as scheduled.

The area just near Egypt’s Cairo International Airport was rocked by an explosion that sent 12 people to the hospital on Thursday.

Conflicting reports say that the explosion took place in a chemical factory separate from the airport. Newsweek says that it occurred within the airport at the main fueling area but may have happened at an aircraft fuel depot outside of the airport.

Several reports and social media accounts say that there was an immense explosion followed by plumes of smoke and fire. Ambulances and first responders were immediately on the scene.

Saudi-based news agency Al Arabiya, citing the Egyptian Ministry of Aviation, says that flights are continuing as scheduled and the fire was brought quickly under control.

"The explosion, which took place just outside of Cairo airport, although near it, caused navigation to be stopped at the airport, according to sources, as a precautionary act, and the airport will open its gates shortly," Egyptian member of parliament Mustafa Bakri had written on Twitter at 2:00 p.m. local time.