Sweden says Nord Stream damage was caused by explosions, points to “serious sabotage”

Follow live the latest news on the war in Ukraine

Swedish authorities said Thursday that investigations into leaks in September in the Nord Stream pipeline have determined that the damage was caused by “explosions” and added that this “strengthens suspicions of serious sabotage.”

The Swedish Security Service has indicated in a statement published on its website that the investigations “have been completed” and added that elements of the Coast Guard, the Armed Forces and the Swedish Police have been involved in the investigations, in what it has described as “a collaboration that has worked very well.”

“Following the investigation, the Security Service can say that there were explosions in Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 in the Swedish Economic Zone that caused damage to the pipelines,” he said, before stressing that “seizures” were carried out during the investigations, without giving further details.

Thus, he has explained that the objective is to determine whether there are suspicions against specific persons to be prosecuted and has emphasized that what happened “is very serious.” “The Security Service is closely following the events and takes the necessary measures through the mandate of the authorities to protect Sweden and the security of Sweden,” he reiterated.