A natural gas pipeline in Lithuania ruptured today, and preliminary investigations indicate that the pipeline itself may be lacking in maintenance.

(Associated Press)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] Amber Grid, a natural gas operator in Lithuania, stated that an explosion occurred on a natural gas pipeline in the country connected to neighboring Latvia today (14th). Potential for damage to pipeline.

"Initial investigations revealed a simple crack at a weld," Amber Grid chief executive Nemunas Biknius told the Baltic news agency (BNS), Reuters reported.

Please read on...

Povilas Balciunas, head of the local public administration, said dozens of residents who had been evacuated from nearby villages had all returned home.

It is said that the explosion produced flames as high as 50 meters at the time of the incident.

The Baltic News Agency pointed out that the Lithuanian police will start investigating whether the pipeline is properly maintained on Saturday, and the police have no intention of investigating the direction of the pipeline being sabotaged.