More of 50 meters of the Nordstream gas pipeline were destroyed due to at explosions caused by suspected sabotage from the end of September in the Baltic Sea. Investigations carried out by Swedish authorities claimed to have gathered the evidence that the explosions were intentional. For its part, Russia assures that the investigation is being “rigged” to blame them for the explosions.
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A video published by the Swedish newspaper Expressen shows a hole in the gas pipeline, with pieces of metal destroyed by the explosion at a depth of 80 meters, according to the portal, more than 50 meters of pipeline were destroyedas well as the seabed was affected.
“Only extreme force can twist such a thick metal,” explains Trond Larsen, a drone pilot for the Norwegian agency Blue Eye Robotics in charge of driving the submersible device that filmed the images.
For its part, Russia believes that the investigation is being “rigged” for blame them of the explosions. “From statements we heard from Germany, France and Denmark, this investigation is being orchestrated to hold Russia accountable. It’s stupid“Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov complained on Tuesday.
Gas leak in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Photo:
On October 6, Swedish authorities announced that they had conducted an underwater inspection of the site and collected “evidence” confirming suspicions of possible sabotage, an idea confirmed by Denmark on Tuesday.
The two gas pipelines, Nord Stream 1 and 2, were damaged by at least two explosions in the waters of the Baltic Sea that caused four leaks. After producing huge methane releases, they stopped and the latest leak is no longer visible on the surface since Friday, according to the Swedish coastguard.
The fourth leak is located in the northeast of the Danish island of Bornholm, above Nord Stream 2, the coastguard said in a statement.
The gas pipelines mentioned are not operational due to the war in Ukraine, however, they were full of gas when the explosions occurred.
INTERNATIONAL WRITING*
*With information from AFP.
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