Blast at Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline

PanARMENIAN.Net - An explosion on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline on Tuesday night in eastern Turkey prompted authorities to halt the flow of oil along the pipeline.



The fire, which broke out after the explosion continues to burn the oil remaining in the pipes, officials said. "Cooling efforts are under way. The fire may continue until the oil inside the pump runs out. However, the region is totally under control."



The cause of the explosion is not immediately known, however, it would become clear after a technical examination by experts.



However, the subgovernor of Refahiye town of the eastern province of Erzincan, where the blast occurred, said the blast was caused by a system failure not due to sabotage.



The authorities took all the necessary security measures in the region, Mehmet Makas was quoted as saying.



The flow of natural gas along a nearby pipeline, which had been suspended due to the fire at the crude oil pipeline, has resumed, officials also said, Reuters reports.