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A gas pipeline connecting Lithuania and Latvia exploded Saturday (14/1/2023). Photo/Reuters
VILNIUS – An explosion hit wee gas linking Lithuania and Latvia . Gas transmission operator Amber Grid said the explosion occurred in the Panevezys area of northern Lithuania.
Lithuanian media LRT reported that as a result of the explosion residents in the village of Valakeliai, with about 250 residents, were being evacuated as a precaution.
According to LRT reports, the flames rose as high as 50 meters in the air and could be seen from at least 17 kilometers away.
“We don’t have any information about the cause of the explosion,” Pasvalys district mayor Gintautas Geguzinskas told LRT.
“I spoke to a few people near the site. They told me that earlier today they saw some work being done near the pipe where the explosion occurred. I can’t confirm if this is true or not,” he said.
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Amber Grid general director Nemunas Biknius told Sky News that no one was injured and no property was damaged in the explosion. He said an investigation would be carried out to determine the cause.
“Fortunately no one was injured during this incident and we will immediately start an investigation into what has happened,” he said.
“At this time we have no evidence that it was intentional, but an investigation will answer questions.”
The blaze has now been extinguished, after which firefighters had to wait to tackle the blaze.
