A powerful blast hit a natural gas pipeline connecting Azerbaijan and Russia at around midnight on Friday, the country’s APA news agency said.
The incident took place at the Shamakhy Region in Central Azerbaijan, at the 13th mile of the Gazimagomed-Mozdok pipeline. The 150-mile pipeline runs along the Caspian Sea coast to Russia’s republic of North Ossetia.
The blast was followed by a blaze, with flames raging at the height of up to 150 meters. There were no death or injuries. The blaze was extinguished shortly after midnight on Saturday, the Baku-based Trend news agency said.
Local police said gas supplies to Russia have been suspended. It is yet unclear when they will resume.
APA said the blast was caused by a gas leak, but Trend said the cause of the explosion is yet to be established.
