No Casualties in Gas Pipeline Blast in Iran: Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Wednesday’s gas transmission pipeline blast in southwestern Iran has not caused any casualties, Oil Minister Javad Owji said, adding that the gas pressure will return to normal soon as the pipelines are being fixed.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet session on Wednesday, Owji said a "terrorist sabotage" attack has targeted two main gas transmission pipelines in the country’s southwestern province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari as well as the southern province of Fars, causing a massive explosion and a subsequent fire.
He said that groups of saboteurs blew up the transmission lines in several locations at around 1 am local time on Wednesday, Press TV reported.
The minister noted that the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) has well managed to bring the situation under control since early hours of the day.
“Personnel at oil and gas installations had already been put on high alert. We knew that enemies would attempt to create challenges for the (Iranian) nation in the wake of recent regional developments and mass turnout of people in rallies marking the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution,” Owji said.
The Iranian oil minister highlighted that repair work on the affected pipelines is underway, and hopefully the flow on the pipelines will resume in less than 12-14 hours.