European Powers have vowed to get to the root the mysterious leaks on Baltic Sea gas pipelines that prompted suspicions of Russian sabotage.
European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said available information suggested a “deliberate act” had caused the leaks from the Russian-owned Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
Swedish prosecutors began inquiries into the leaks as a rescue ship patrolled the bubbling plumes on the Baltic surface. Denmark said explosions were to blame, while NATO spoke of an act of sabotage.
Russia on Wednesday denied involvement, amid speculation that the blast was a warning from Moscow that it could tamper further with European energy supplies.
It intended to call a UN Security Council meeting over damage to the pipelines, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
Also Read: Russia Blames Siemens, Sanctions for Nord Stream 1 Shutdown
Danish authorities said it could be one or two weeks before the waters calm sufficiently to investigate what happened below the surface. Sweden’s coastguard offered divers and underwater craft to aid the inquiry.
“It is a very large blast that has taken place, therefore it will take time before we can get down there,” Danish Defence Minister Morten Bodskov said.
Scientists in Denmark, Sweden and Germany said two tremors were picked up on seismographs in the area where the leaks were discovered, adding to suspicions of a man-made blast.
The Danish geological survey said the tremors “do not resemble signals from earthquakes… they do resemble the signals typically recorded from blasts”.
Also Read: As Russia Shuts Nord Stream 1 Today: Europe Should Be Ready For Energy Rationing And Blackouts
Norway, now the biggest gas supplier to Europe instead of Russia, said it would increase security around its terminals and drilling platforms. It came after reports of increased drone activity on Norway’s continental shelf.
Norway said there was much to indicate sabotage on Nord Stream 1 and 2, while Germany said there was nothing to suggest a natural cause.
The Kremlin hit back at suggestions of Russian involvement by describing them as “predictable and predictably stupid”.
“This is a big problem for us,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “The entire system is ready to pump gas and the gas is very expensive. Now the gas is flying off into the air.”
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