Blast knocks out EU gas pipeline in Ukraine

7 Dec, 2007 08:20 / Updated 16 years ago

Officials in Ukraine say a gas pipe damaged by a blast on Thursday will be up and running in the next 10 days. National oil and gas operator, Naftogaz, said supplies to Europe would not be affected.

The pipeline in the south of the country is used to pump gas from Russia to the EU. A fire at the scene of the explosion has been put out and no casualties were reported. An investigation into the cause of the blast is under way but it's believed depressurisation could be to blame. The transit company says gas supplies to Europe have been maintained through other pipelines.