Sweden says “detonations” caused “extensive damage” to the Nord Stream pipeline
Swedish authorities investigating leaks at two natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea said “detonations” damaged those facilities.
Swedish security police said they have completed a crime scene investigation into the two Nord Stream pipelines, which leaked between Swedish and Danish waters at the end of September. Images released shortly afterwards by Danish authorities showed explosions around the leak sites.
“After a crime scene investigation, the Security Police can establish that there have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines,” says the Security Police. in a statement. “The investigation has strengthened the suspicions of gross sabotage.”
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been shut down since the leaks were discovered, although Russia had already stopped the flow of gas in late August and had been slowing those supplies for months. Nord Stream 2 has never been operational because Germany refused to certify it for deliveries.
The EU and the US have pointed the finger at Russia over the damaged pipelines, which are operated by state-owned Gazprom and transport natural gas from Russia to Europe under the Baltic Sea.
Europe faces a difficult winter with potential supply shortages as Russia has pushed its natural gas supplies to the continent. While Moscow has blamed technical difficulties, the EU has accused it of arming supplies in retaliation for sanctions imposed over the country’s invasion of Ukraine that began in late February.
The security police said that “some seizures” had been made during its investigation, and they will now be “reviewed and analysed. The continued preliminary investigation will show whether anyone can be charged with suspicion and later prosecuted.”
Separately, the Swedish Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it has lifted a blockade around the pipelines, as the investigation has been completed.
Danish authorities said earlier this week that the pipeline leaks had stopped.
Read: As the fourth Nord Stream leak is discovered, this is what scientists are saying about the environmental impact