Gas pipeline explodes in Lithuania on day marking independence struggle from USSR – Saudi Gazette

Gas pipeline explodes in Lithuania on day marking independence struggle from USSR – Saudi Gazette

VILNIUS — A gas pipeline has exploded in Lithuania, according to officials, as the country marks a historic day in its struggle for independence from the USSR.

LRT, Lithuania’s public broadcaster, reported that there were no injuries from the blast in the center of the country, but that flames shot up 50 meters high.

Some 250 people from a nearby village were being evacuated from the village of Pasvalio Vienkiemiai, after the explosion at around 17:00 local time in the District of Pasvalys. Authorities said this was a precautionary measure.

Today, Lithuania marks the Day of Freedom Defenders to honor those who were killed by Soviet troops on Jan. 13, 1991 in the capital Vilnius, as the country broke away from the USSR.

Fourteen people died and hundreds were injured defending the TV tower, as Russian troops tried to topple the new Lithuanian government that had declared independence the year before in 1990.

The blast occurred on a main Amber Grid gas pipeline.

“We immediately started to investigate the circumstances of the incident and ensure gas supply to consumers,” Nemunas Biknius, Amber Grid CEO said in a statement.

“According to the initial assessment, we do not see any malign cause, but the investigation will cover all possible