2023 Lithuania–Latvia pipeline explosion: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Explosion on 13 January 2023}}

{{Infobox event

| partof =

| date = {{start date|2023|01|13|df=yes}}

| time = {{circa}} 16:57

| timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]], UTC+2]]

| ___location = Joniškėlis Street, [[Pasvalio Vienkiemiai]], [[Pasvalys District Municipality]], [[Panevėžys County]], [[Lithuania]]

| coordinates = {{coords|56|3|21.6|N|24|22|15.6|E|display=inline,title}}

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}}

|map_caption=Area around Pasvalys District|type=[[Gas explosion]]

|motive= Accidental (presumed)<ref name=bbc>[{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Matt |title=Lithuanian gas pipeline hit by large explosion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64267736 Lithuanian|website=bbc.co.uk gas|publisher=[[BBC pipelineNews]] hit|date=13 byJanuary large2023 explosion]|access-date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113192011/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64267736 |url-status=live }}</ref>

|participants= Under investigation

|reported deaths=0

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On 13 January 2023, an explosion occurred on the [[Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection]] in [[Pasvalio Vienkiemiai]], [[Pasvalys District Municipality]], [[Lithuania]].<ref name=lrt>[{{cite web |title=Dujotiekio sprogimas Pasvalio rajone: ugnis lokalizuota, gyventojai raginami užsidaryti langus ir likti namuose |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1866189/dujotiekio-sprogimas-pasvalio-rajone-ugnis-lokalizuota-gyventojai-raginami-uzsidaryti-langus-ir-likti-namuose Dujotiekio|website=lrt.lt sprogimas|publisher=[[Lithuanian PasvalioNational rajone:Radio ugnisand lokalizuota,Television]] gyventojai|language=lt raginami|date=13 užsidarytiJanuary langus2023 ir|access-date=13 liktiJanuary 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113181857/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1866189/dujotiekio-sprogimas-pasvalio-rajone-ugnis-lokalizuota-gyventojai-raginami-uzsidaryti-langus-ir-likti-namuose] |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[{{cite web |title=Aiškėja sprogimo Pasvalio rajone detalės: gyventojams dujų tiekimas nesutriks, teigia, kad piktybinio poveikio dujotiekiui nemato |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1866295/aiskeja-sprogimo-pasvalio-rajone-detales-gyventojams-duju-tiekimas-nesutriks-teigia-kad-piktybinio-poveikio-dujotiekiui-nemato Aiškėja|website=lrt.lt sprogimo|publisher=[[Lithuanian PasvalioNational rajoneRadio detalės:and gyventojamsTelevision]] dujų|language=lt tiekimas|date=13 nesutriks,January teigia,2023 kad|access-date=13 piktybinioJanuary poveikio2023 dujotiekiui|archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113183949/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1866295/aiskeja-sprogimo-pasvalio-rajone-detales-gyventojams-duju-tiekimas-nesutriks-teigia-kad-piktybinio-poveikio-dujotiekiui-nemato] |url-status=live }}</ref>

At 16:57, Police department of Pasvalys District received the call about the fire in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai village.<ref>{{cite web |title= Lietuvā netālu no Latvijas eksplodējis gāzes vads; remonts var aizņemt nedēļas (plkst. 20.45) |url= https://www.delfi.lv/news/arzemes/foto-lietuva-netalu-no-latvijas-eksplodejis-gazes-vads-remonts-var-aiznemt-nedelas-plkst-2045.d?id=55125856 |website= delfi.lv |publisher= [[Delfi (web portal)|DELFI LV]] |language= lv |date= 13 January 2023 |access-date= 14 January 2023 |archive-date= 13 January 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230113203856/https://www.delfi.lv/news/arzemes/foto-lietuva-netalu-no-latvijas-eksplodejis-gazes-vads-remonts-var-aiznemt-nedelas-plkst-2045.d?id=55125856 |url-status= live }}</ref> Flames reached up to 50 m in height and could be seen at a distance of at least 17 km. As a precaution the entire village of [[Valakėliai]] was evacuated.<ref name=lrt /> As a result Lithuania stopped natural gas transit to Latvia, while consumers in northern Lithuania were supplied by alternative pipelines.<ref name=delfi>[{{cite web |title= Pasvalio rajone sprogo dujotiekis: pliūptelėjo apie 50 metrų aukščio liepsna |url= https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/crime/pasvalio-rajone-sprogo-dujotiekis-pliuptelejo-apie-50-metru-aukscio-liepsna.d?id=92270881 Pasvalio|website= rajonedelfi.lt sprogo|publisher= dujotiekis:[[Delfi pliūptelėjo(web apieportal)|DELFI 50LT]] metrų|language= aukščiolt |date= 13 January 2023 |access-date= 13 January 2023 |archive-date= 13 January 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230113153720/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/crime/pasvalio-rajone-sprogo-dujotiekis-pliuptelejo-apie-50-metru-aukscio-liepsna].d?id=92270881 |url-status= live }}</ref> 18km of pipeline was disconnected from the main grid to allow gas to burn out. Firefighters extinguished the flames around 21:00 local time.<ref name=bbc /> By midnight Lithuania restored gas transit between Lithuania and Latvia at reduced capacity.<ref name=delfi />

==Cause==

According to the Amber Grid Chief Executive, they do not have evidence that the explosion was an attack, however said that it will be investigated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sytas |first1=Andrius |title=Lithuania-Latvia gas pipeline blows up, but no sign of attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-latvia-gas-pipeline-hit-by-explosion-operator-says-2023-01-13/ |website=reuters.com |date=13 January 2023 |agency=Reuters |access-date=14 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113234209/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-latvia-gas-pipeline-hit-by-explosion-operator-says-2023-01-13/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 14 January 2023, representative of Panevėžys County Police Office confirmed that the cause is current under investigation in line with Lithuanian Penal Code's article 278 punishable by prison sentence up to 5 years.<ref name=delfi14 />

==Explosion==

At 16:57, Police department of Pasvalys District received the call about the fire in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai village after a locals heard a loud noise. Flames reached up to 50 m in height and could be seen at a distance of at least 17 km. Buildings within 1km radius overheated above 100 C, therefore firefighters had to cool down the buildings with water.<ref name=delfi14>{{cite web |title=Po dujų vamzdžio sprogimo Pasvalio rajone už 800 metrų esančio pastato sienos įkaito iki virimo temperatūros |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/crime/po-duju-vamzdzio-sprogimo-pasvalio-rajone-uz-800-metru-esancio-pastato-sienos-ikaito-iki-virimo-temperaturos.d?id=92273705 |website=delfi.lt |publisher=[[Delfi (web portal)|DELFI LT]] |language=lt |date=14 January 2023 |access-date=14 January 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114112130/https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/crime/po-duju-vamzdzio-sprogimo-pasvalio-rajone-uz-800-metru-esancio-pastato-sienos-ikaito-iki-virimo-temperaturos.d?id=92273705 |url-status=live }}</ref> Firefighters used drone to scan the area and monitor fire spreading.<ref name=lrt14 >{{cite web |title=Suvaldžius dujotiekio avariją Pasvalio rajone, pavojaus nebėra |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1866425/suvaldzius-dujotiekio-avarija-pasvalio-rajone-pavojaus-nebera |website=lrt.lt |publisher=[[Lithuanian National Radio and Television]] |language=lt |date=14 January 2023 |access-date=14 January 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114062005/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1866425/suvaldzius-dujotiekio-avarija-pasvalio-rajone-pavojaus-nebera |url-status=live }}</ref>

18km of pipeline was disconnected from the main [[Amber Grid]] system to allow gas to burn out. Fire stopped at around 21:00 local time.<ref name=bbc />

==Evacuations==

Nearby village of [[Valakėliai]] was instructed to evacuate completely. Temporary rescue centre was established in ''[[Joniškėlis]] Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Gymnasium'' building with 120 beds provided for the ones seeking shelter.<ref name=lrt/> On 14 January 2023, locals returned to Valakėliai village.<ref name=lrt14/>

Locals from villages of [[Paberžiai (Pasvalys)|Paberžiai]] and [[Balsiai (Pasvalys)|Balsiai]]were advised to evacuate toand temporary shelter in Pasvalys Lėvens primary school. <ref name=lrt/> Pasvalys District Municipality officials encourages outside of evacuation zone to close all doors and windows and remain calm.

==Transport==

All traffic via [[KK150]] national route in Pasvalys District was closed and traffic diverted via rural [[gravel road]]s.<ref name=lrt/> Due high temperature from the flames the surface of KK150 road was damaged and at least 2km of road was no longer suitable for use.<ref name=lrt14 />

==Repairs==

On 14 January 2023, Gintautas Gegužinskas, Pasvalys District mayor confirmed that it will take minimum a week to repair the damaged [[Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection]].<ref name=delfi14 />

On 16 January 2023 13:30 local time, the repairs were fully finished and gas supply to Latvia restored at full capacity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Suremontavus dujotiekį Pasvalio rajone, visiškai atkurti dujų tiekimo pajėgumai į Latviją |url= https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1867607/suremontavus-dujotieki-pasvalio-rajone-visiskai-atkurti-duju-tiekimo-pajegumai-i-latvija |website=lrt.lt |publisher=[[Lithuanian National Radio and Television]] |language=lt |date=16 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 }}</ref> Lithuania exporting up to 90 GWh per day of natural gas to Latvia via the pipeline after the repairs.<ref>{{cite web |title= Amber Grid: Suremontavus dujotiekį Pasvalio rajone, visiškai atkurti dujų tiekimo pajėgumai į Latviją |url= https://www.ambergrid.lt/lt/news/pranesimaispaudai/suremontavus-dujotieki-pasvalio-rajone-visiskai-atkurti-duju-tiekimo-pajegumai-i-latvija |website= ambergrid.lt |publisher=[[Amber Grid]] |language=lt |date=16 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 }}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:2023 in Lithuania]]

[[Category:January 2023 in Europe]]

[[Category:Explosions in Lithuania]]

[[Category:Gas explosions]]

[[Category:2023 industrial disasters]]

[[Category:2023 disasters in Europe]]

[[Category:Panevėžys County]]

[[Category:Natural gas in Lithuania]]

[[Category:Latvia–Lithuania relations]]

[[Category:Pollution events in 2023]]

[[Category:January 2023 in Latvia]]

[[Category:January 2023 in Lithuania]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:2023 Lithuania-Latvia pipeline explosion}}