Riga [Latvia], January 15: An explosion that occurred on a gas pipeline in northern Lithuania was most likely the result of technical issues, the gas grid operator said on Saturday.
"The first inspection shows that there may simply be a seam missing," Amber Grid CEO NemunasBiknius told the BNS news agency. Because of the explosion on Friday, a fire had broken out on the gas pipeline, which is a main connection to neighbouring Latvia. According to Lithuanian media reports, no one was injured in the incident near the town of Pasvalys, but the residents of a nearby village were evacuated for several hours as a precaution. Pictures and videos on social networks showed a huge flame that was about 50 metres high and visible from several kilometres away, according to a Lithuanian radio report.
According to Amber Grid, the gas supply of the pipeline was interrupted and the delivery to Latvia temporarily suspended. Biknius said the gas pipeline had been built more than 40 years ago and had been constantly maintained. Preliminary information indicated that the explosion was related to a "technological problem," but more precise conclusions could only be drawn after a detailed investigation, he said. (dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune
