In Finland, a leak from a gas pipeline was reported — “due to external activity”

Author:
Anhelina Sheremet
Date:

A leak from the Balticconnector gas pipeline was reported in Finland. Prime Minister of the country Petteri Orpo told about this at a briefing on October 10.

According to him, they received confirmation of the location of the leak in the morning of October 10. According to Orpo, it is likely that the leak occurred due to "external activity".

The National Bureau of Investigation has already started a case on this matter and says that no traces of explosives have been found. "Special skills" and equipment are needed to damage a gas pipeline, said head Timo Kilpeläinen. "This is not exactly the act of an ordinary person. I will not comment further," he added.

Due to this incident, the vigilance of law enforcement officers has increased, special attention is now being paid to the operation and security of critical infrastructure.

  • Finland and Estonia said on October 9 that the Balticconnector underwater gas pipeline running between the two countries across the Baltic Sea had been temporarily taken out of service due to a suspected leak. The Finnish and Estonian gas system operators said they noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the pipeline shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 8, after which they shut off the supply. This gas pipeline has two branches and transports natural gas between Finland and Estonia depending on supply and demand. The length of the Balticconnector is 77 kilometers, it began operation in 2020.