Gas pipeline explodes in Turkish rebel region

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — An explosion Saturday caused a huge fire on a natural gas pipeline in eastern Turkey, the Energy Ministry said.

The explosion occurred in Turkey’s eastern province of Agri, Energy Ministry spokesman Bulent Ismen said.

Earlier, a paramilitary police official in Agri and the private NTV television said that the fire was on the newly inaugurated pipeline carrying oil from the Caspian Sea.

The Anatolia news agency said the pipeline was carrying Iranian natural gas. Ismen said the fire was on a pipeline carrying gas within Turkey.

AP