China News Service, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The operator of the "North Stream" natural gas pipeline said on the 2nd that the first data collection work at the damaged site of the "North Stream-1" gas pipeline in Swedish waters has ended.
Preliminary investigations found man-made potholes were found on the seafloor near the damaged portion of the pipeline.
According to Reuters, the operator of the "North Stream" pointed out that preliminary results of an inspection of the damaged site showed that a large crater formed by human factors was found on the seabed, at a distance of about 248 meters and a depth of 3 to 5 meters. .
According to reports, the pipes between the large pits were completely destroyed, and the pipe fragments were scattered in a radius of at least 250 meters.
Experts will continue to analyze the data obtained during the investigation.
On September 26, gas leaks and underwater explosions occurred successively in the important natural gas transportation pipelines "Beixi-1" and "Beixi-2" connecting Russia and Europe.
After the incident, Denmark and Sweden investigated the scene and said that the pipeline was suspected of being "deliberately damaged".
Nord Stream AG, the operator of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, said the emergency situation for the two gas pipelines was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the repair time.
According to a report by Swedish TV on October 25, local time, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany have all sent some survey ships to the Baltic Sea region. The staff investigates the cause of the pipeline accident by taking photos, inspections and research at the bottom of the pipeline.
Previously, the Danish government firmly rejected Russia's involvement in the investigation into the sabotage and the identification of the perpetrators.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin said on October 31 that Gazprom had been granted permission to participate in the investigation into the Nord Stream leak.