COPENHAGEN, Denmark (HPD) — Denmark confirms Tuesday that there has been “significant damage” to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea off the Danish coast, and that “powerful explosions” were the cause.
The Copenhagen police explained in a statement that they carried out a series of preliminary investigations of what they called “the crime scenes”, with the help of the country’s Armed Forces and in collaboration with, among other departments, the security agency and intelligence of the country.
“This is very serious and, in no case, is it a coincidence. It looks not only planned, but very well planned,” Danish Defense Minister Morten Bødskov told TV2 television.
The agency and the police have decided to create a joint investigation group that will be tasked with continuing investigations into the incidents, police said, adding that “it (is) not possible to say when an investigation can be expected to be completed.”
Earlier this month, Sweden’s National Security Agency said its preliminary investigation into two other leaks closer to its coast “has strengthened suspicions of serious sabotage” and a prosecutor said evidence had been seized at the site.
Swedish newspaper Expressen published what it said was video of damaged pipes off the country on Tuesday, noting that at least 50 meters (165 feet) of the metal pipe appeared to be missing.
The four leaks occurred in international waters, but in the exclusive economic zones of Denmark and Sweden. Damaged Nord Stream pipelines spewed huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the air for several days.