“The analysis that has now been carried out shows traces of explosives in many of the items recovered” from the scene in the Baltic Sea, Mats Ljungqvist, the prosecutor leading the investigation, said on Friday. Ljungqvist said the investigation was “very complex and comprehensive” and the analysis would continue in order to draw “more reliable conclusions” and determine whether any suspects could be identified. But the evidence so far was of “wholesale sabotage,” he said. Swedish and Danish authorities are conducting separate investigations into four ruptures in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which carry gas between Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm. Two of the leaks occurred in Denmark’s exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden. A 50-meter section was missing from Nord Stream 1, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported last month after publishing footage filmed by an underwater drone. Seismologists in both countries recorded tremors in the area shortly before the leaks were reported that did not appear to be caused by earthquakes, and Denmark said last month that early indications pointed to “strong explosions”. Gases, including methane, escape from a leak in Nord Stream 2 on September 28 in this image provided by the Swedish Coast Guard. Photo: AP Scientists said the Sept. 26 ruptures, described by experts as equivalent to several hundred kilograms of TNT, could have caused one of the worst natural gas leaks ever, spewing gas including methane — the biggest cause of warming of climate after carbon dioxide – in the ocean. then bubbles on the surface. The pipelines have been at the center of geopolitical tensions since Russia cut gas supplies to Europe, apparently in retaliation for Western sanctions imposed in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. London last month rejected Russian claims that the British navy was responsible for the blasts, saying the claims were designed to distract from Russian military failures in Ukraine. Washington and Moscow have denied any involvement. Subscribe to This is Europe The most central stories and debates about Europeans – from identity to the economy to the environment Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Ljungqvist said cooperation between Swedish, Danish and other national authorities was “working perfectly” and that no further information would be released to allow investigators to continue their work “in peace and quiet”. German authorities are conducting their own investigation, working closely with Swedish and Danish teams, after Berlin’s offer of a formal joint investigation was rejected, reportedly on national security grounds.
