GROZNY, January 28 (RIA Novosti) - The acting prime minister of the North Caucasus republic of Chechnya denied Saturday reports that damage to a natural gas pipeline supplying parts of the republic had been caused by an explosion. Ramzan Kadyrov said, "I entirely rule out reports of an explosion on the gas pipe. An accident of a technical nature occurred on the pipeline."
The pipeline, which runs from the Russian city of Aksai, ruptured at 7:00 p.m. Moscow time Thursday in Gudermes, northern Chechnya, cutting off supplies to 20 towns and villages in the republic, including parts of the capital, Grozny.
The republic's chief prosecutor, Valery Kuznetsov, said according to preliminary information, the accident was caused by high pressure in the pipeline.
Repair work has been completed, but supplies have not yet been resumed, the local Emergencies Ministry department said.
