Gas pipeline explosion on highway construction site in Romania leaves four dead, five injured

Update: Representatives of Transgaz stated that the explosion happened because "the construction contractor did not comply with the location permit provisions." They also said the contractor does not possess "the CTE permit from SNTGN Transgaz SA for the technical project of relocating/replacing the intersected gas pipeline."

According to the company, Transgaz representatives immediately went to the site, took all the necessary technical measures to extinguish the fire, isolate the natural gas transport pipeline, and eliminate safety risks. Gas suppliers or consumers were not affected, and Transgaz took all the necessary technical measures to ensure the natural gas supply to the area.

Initial story: An explosion at a gas pipeline in the Călimănești area, Vrancea county, killed four and injured five others on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. The natural gas transport mainline was fractured during work on the A7 highway construction site, resulting in sparks from mechanical work and an explosion followed by a fire.

The victims were construction workers at the Moldova Highway.

According to official sources quoted by the media, the pipeline, operated by Transgaz, was located 1.2 meters underground.

"We will need to see if the project included this pipeline, its existence, and its depth," said Nicușor Halici, the prefect of Vrancea county, cited by G4Media.ro.

Five victims were transported to CPU Adjud with burns on their bodies, and four charred bodies were found by the intervention teams on-site and declared deceased, according to Romania's Department for Emergency Situations.

A safety perimeter of approximately 500 meters around the affected area was established, and intervention teams worked on containing the fire. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire quickly.

"As of 01:30, the Red Intervention Plan was activated at the county level in Vrancea. [...] Additionally, a warning message was transmitted in the proximity of the incident area through the RO-alert system. The Red Intervention Plan was deactivated at 3:30 a.m., and intervention teams remain active for a complete investigation of the causes and management of the consequences of this incident," DSU further reported.