Blast, fire hit big gas pipeline in northwest Russia

LAVRIKI, Russia (Reuters) – A powerful explosion hit a gas pipeline in northwest Russia early on Thursday but officials said it was not caused by terrorism and exports were unaffected.

The huge blast hit a trunk pipeline outside Russia’s second city of St Petersburg just minutes after midnight, shaking buildings as far as 5 km (3 miles) away from the epicenter and setting off a fierce fire.


Officials said there were no casualties, but the power of the blast was such that many locals jumped into cars and drove to safety, causing congestion on motorways.

Emergency officials said they believed the explosion had been caused by the dilapidated state of the 80-cm diameter high-pressure pipeline rather than an act of terrorism.

Reuters