2023 Lithuania–Latvia pipeline explosion
On 13 January 2023, an explosion occurred on the Lithuania–Latvia Interconnection in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai, Pasvalys District Municipality, Lithuania.
Area around Pasvalys District | |
| Date | 13 January 2023 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 16:57 (EET, UTC+2) |
| Location | Joniškėlis Street, Pasvalio Vienkiemiai, Pasvalys District Municipality, Panevėžys County, Lithuania |
| Coordinates | 56°3′21.6″N 24°22′15.6″E |
| Type | Gas explosion |
| Motive | Accidental (presumed) |
| Participants | Under investigation |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
At 16:57, Police department of Pasvalys District received the call about the fire in Pasvalio Vienkiemiai village. Flames reached up to 50 m in height and could be seen at a distance of at least 17 km. As a precaution the entire village of Valakėliai was evacuated. As a result Lithuania stopped natural gas transit to Latvia, while consumers in northern Lithuania were supplied by alternative pipelines. 18km of pipeline was disconnected from the main grid to allow gas to burn out. Firefighters extinguished the flames around 21:00 local time. By midnight Lithuania restored gas transit between Lithuania and Latvia at reduced capacity.