City
Epaper

Mystery leaks in gas pipelines between Russia and Europe

By IANS | Updated: September 27, 2022 19:40 IST

London, Sep 27 European countries are investigating three mystery leaks in two major gas pipelines between Russia and ...

Open in App

London, Sep 27 European countries are investigating three mystery leaks in two major gas pipelines between Russia and Europe, a media report said.

The cause of the damage to Nord Stream 1 and 2 is unclear, but authorities have not ruled out sabotage.

The operator of Nord Stream 1 said the undersea lines had simultaneously sustained "unprecedented" damage in one day, the BBC reported.

Both pipelines have been flashpoints in the energy tussle between Moscow and Europe.

Whatever the cause of the damage, it won't immediately affect the supply of gas to Europe as neither pipeline was operational.

The European Union has previously accused Russia of using a reduction in gas supplies to blackmail Europe, but Moscow denies this. It says sanctions against Russia make it impossible to properly maintain the gas infrastructure.

Unconfirmed reports in German media said authorities are not ruling out an attack on the undersea gas network, the British broadcaster reported.

Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said it was too early to come to conclusions, but that it was hard to imagine the multiple leaks could be a coincidence.

A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said he was "extremely concerned" about the incident, and the possibility of a deliberate attack could not be ruled out.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline - which consists of two parallel branches - has not transported any gas since August when Russia closed it down for maintenance.

It stretches 1,200 km under the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast near St Petersburg to north-eastern Germany. Its twin Russian-owned pipeline, Nord Stream 2, was halted after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

Although neither pipelines are in operation, they both still contain gas.

German, Danish and Swedish authorities are all investigating the incidents.

The operators of Nord Stream 2 warned of a loss of pressure in the pipeline on Monday afternoon. That led to a warning from Danish authorities that ships should avoid the area near the island of Bornholm.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: bbcLondonEuropean UnionMoscowDmitry PeskovMette FrederiksenPremier of saAustralia broadcasting corporationBbc radioBroadcasting corporation
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalLondon Fire: Jewish Hatzolah Ambulances Set Ablaze in Golders Green Area (Watch Videos)

InternationalLondon Tube Viral Video: Woman Shows Filthy Conditions, Sparks Online Debate

MumbaiMumbai: Gulf Airspace Closure Creates Chaos at CSMIA, 854 Flights Cancelled, London Fares Spike to ₹1.4 Lakh

MumbaiMumbai Airport: Antique Gold and Silver Coins Smuggled From London Seized by Customs

NationalIndia-EU FTA: India and European Union Sign Historic ‘Grand Deal’; PM Narendra Modi Calls It ‘Mother of All Agreements’

International Realted Stories

InternationalFatal collision on key highway kills one, injures five in Eastern Afghanistan

InternationalChinese tourist's experience in Beijing reveals rapidly expanding system of identity control: Report

InternationalOman, Iran start discussions on opening Straits of Hormuz amid West Asia conflict

International"If US gets three more victories like this, it will be ruined," Iran Speaker shares pic of downed jet

International77 Killed, Over 100 Injured in Afghanistan Floods Since March 26: Govt Officials