Prosecutor: Detonations at Nord stream 1 and 2
Domestic

October 6, 2022

at 2:30 p.m

It was detonations that caused Nord stream 1 and 2 to start leaking gas in the Swedish economic zone in the Baltic Sea on Monday last week. Chamber prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist says so in a statement.

At 10 p.m. on Thursday, the closures around the two leaks on Nord stream 1 and 2 were lifted. The crime scene investigation that took place in the area has been completed.

Detonations
The prosecutor's office is now confirming what was suspected since last week; that the gas pipelines were subjected to attacks.

- We can confirm that there have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines, says Chamber prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, who leads the preliminary investigation, in a comment.

- The crime scene investigation has strengthened the suspicions of serious sabotage. Seizures have been made at the crime scene and these will now be investigated. There is pre-trial confidentiality and the case is very sensitive, says District Attorney Mats Ljungqvist, who leads the pre-trial investigation, in a comment.

READ ALSO: Poland's former foreign minister on the Nord Stream leak: "Thank you, USA"

The Prosecutor's Office, the Security Police, the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces have collaborated on the crime scene investigation, and Ljungqvist says that collaboration worked "very well".

- It is a serious incident and it is a message of strength that the authorities involved fulfill their respective tasks in the best possible way, he says.

READ ALSO: The Swedish Navy patrolled the area shortly before the gas leaks occurred

The coast guard remains
Although the blockades have been lifted and the crime scene investigation completed, the Coast Guard is still on the scene with the vessel KBV 002 Triton.

- The coastguard continues to monitor the situation in Sweden's sea areas, just as usual. We are also continuing with our assistance in the preliminary investigation in the parts requested by the prosecutor and the Security Police, says the Coast Guard's chief on standby, Mikael Furberg.

In addition, the submarine rescue vessel HMS Belos – the Swedish navy's largest warship – remains at the site.