Nuclear Impact Analysis · Egypt

Is Cairo safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Cairo and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 21,300,000 metro residents.

30/100
HIGH RISK

Cairo city centre sits 0 m from Cairo, the most plausible strategic target in the area (low targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 150 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 0% · Estimated metro fatalities: 512.7K, injuries: 617.4K

Run the interactive simulation for Cairo →

What a strike on Cairo would mean

A 150 kt detonation produces a fireball 490 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 1.8 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 3.7 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 8.2 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 5.2 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Cairo the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Cairo

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Cairocity0 km150 ktlow
Dimona Nuclear Research, Israelenergy389 km150 kthigh
Tel Aviv / HaKiryamilitary407 km150 kthigh
Incirlik Air Basemilitary865 km300 ktmedium
Istanbul (Bosphorus)city1236 km300 ktmedium

Key blast radii (150 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball490 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.8 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast3.7 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns5.2 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.1 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast8.2 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Cairo can prepare

With a population density of 19,000 people/km², Cairo's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Cairo →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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