Explosion in the gas pipeline between Latvia and Lithuania

An explosion occurred in the main gas pipeline between Latvia and Lithuania. The cause is not yet known and no one is expected to be injured.

The explosion occurred at around 5:00 p.m. Friday in the village of Pasfaliu-Venkiemia in northern Lithuania. No injuries have been recorded yet.

Preliminary information indicates that no one was injured. The operating company, Amber Grid, wrote in a statement that the explosion occurred within walking distance of residential areas press release.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated.

The Lithuanian gas company reported after 19:00 on Friday that the fire would soon be completely extinguished, as the gas supply had been cut off. Reuters reports.

50 meters flame

The police tell the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT that flames were seen up to 50 meters high.

And eyewitnesses say, according to local media, that there is a gas station very close to the crime scene, and that the air temperature in the area is approximately 20 degrees.

Pasvallis County Mayor Gentautas Jeguinskas shared several photos of the incident on his site. Facebook page. He told LRT radio that people in the area heard sounds reminiscent of aircraft at low altitude.

Police are patrolling the area around the fire.

Two tubes – one damaged

The damaged pipeline transports gas to the northern part of Lithuania and Latvia.

According to the operating company, the pipe system consists of two parallel pipes, and everything indicates that the explosion occurred in one of them. The other tube is not damaged. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Energy of Lithuania.

The gas supply through the damaged pipe was immediately stopped. Another is still bringing gas to customers in the vicinity, says Amber Grid.

– Sorry about the accident

– We apologize for this incident in the gas pipeline system. We immediately began clarifying the circumstances surrounding the accident, and ensuring that customers were supplied with gas, says managing director Nimonas Pykenios in the press release.

Directors also write that the company is now working on managing safety and the consequences of fire.

– We immediately informed the authorities, energy distributor and city services in Pasvallis of the situation. He says, we’ll come back with details of the incident when we have more.

The Ministry of Energy of Lithuania signs on Facebook page This work is being carried out at maximum speed to control the accident and secure the site. They also wrote that no one should be injured, and that there should be no houses near the blast area.

The village has been evacuated

Major gas pipelines are potentially dangerous installations, and the gas company asks residents in the area to be careful where the line is.

It was decided to evacuate the village of Valakėlis, located in the Pasvalis district. About 200 people live in the village.

Local authorities Asking residents to stay in their homes and close windows until the fire is under control.