Nord Stream leak LIVE updates: Europe investigates attacks on Russian gas pipelines

Poland's foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on Tuesday during an event said that "Russian hybrid war" can be the reason behind the Nord Stream leak.
 

Russian gas pipelines leak in the Baltic Sea are gushing greenhouse gas emissions, sparking concerns that the disruption may have a catastrophic effect on the climate.

On Tuesday, Europe started investigating into claims made by Germany, Denmark and Sweden who stated that the two Russian gas pipeline were attacked which caused major leaks into the Baltic Sea. 

However, it still far from apparent who might be responsible for the breaches, first discovered on Monday (Sept 26).

During a press conference, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that the leak of the Nord Stream pipelines, as per information suggesting likely sabotage, led to the detection of the two blasts. 

However, this doesn't pose any direct threat to Sweden.

After a leak at the nearby Nord Stream 2 project, Sweden's Maritime Authority reported on Tuesday that it had issued a warning of two leaks on the Russian-owned Nord Stream 1 pipeline in Swedish and Danish waters.

Stock markets in Europe as well as in the US fell over fears of reduced gas supply to Europe after leaks in Nord Stream pipelines.

Paris, Frankfurt and London all closed in the red, failing to hang on to earlier gains. Wall Street followed suit in mid-morning trades after an early rally.

"There's little doubt instability is here to stay, and nerves are frayed as central bankers pull out all the stops to battle with inflation," Danni Hewson, analyst at AJ Bell said. Hewsn was quoted by AFP.

"And there's plenty of tension too over Russian moves to try to annex parts of Ukraine as well as worries about gas supplies after it emerged the pipeline that carries gas from Russia to Europe has suffered some kind of damage."
 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that US was "working day in and day out" for Europe's energy security.

"What's critical is that we are working day in day out, both on a short term basis and a long term basis, to address energy security for Europe and, for that matter, around the world," he said.

His words came after the gas leak in Nord Stream pipelines and reports of blasts

"If it is confirmed, that's clearly in no one's interest," Blinken told reporters.

"My understanding is the leaks will not have a significant impact on Europe's energy resilience," Blinken said.
 

Denmark's Energy Agency said on Tuesday (Sept 27) that the damaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea will continue to leak gas for a few days.

The agency's spokesperson said, "A lot of gas is leaking out. It is perhaps several million cubic metres every hour. The pipes are being emptied but it will take several days before they are completely empty. "

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has blamed sabotage for leakage from Nord Stream pipelines

Quoting a seismologist from Uppsala University in Sweden, AFP has reported that blasts took place before gas leak took place from Nord Stream pipelines.

"The first happened at 2:03 am (0003 GMT) just southeast of Bornholm with a magnitude of 1.9. Then we also saw one at 7:04 pm on Monday night, another event a little further north and that seems to have been a bit bigger. Our calculations show a magnitude of 2.3," said Peter Schmidt, the seismologist.
 

A senior White House official said that the US was 'ready' to help Europe after gas leak from Nord Stream pipelines.

"I'm not going to speculate on the cause, and I know our European partners are investigating. We stand ready to provide support to their efforts," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official was quoted by AFP.

Ukraine has alleged that leaks from Nord Stream pipelines were due to "terrorist attack" by Russia.

"The large-scale 'gas leak' from Nord Stream 1 is nothing more than a terrorist attack planned by Russia and an act of aggression towards the EU," Kyiv's presidential advisor Mikhaylo Podolyak said on Twitter.
 

Sweden's National Seismology Centre (SNSN) at Uppsala University has confirmed explosions to public broadcaster SVT... Click here to read more

Russia and Denmark have hinted at a possible sabotage, the European Union has said that more investigation was necessary...Click here to read more