Gazprom Transgaz Nizhny Novgorod said on Tuesday that the fire which resulted from an explosion at the gas pipeline Urengoy—Center—2 in Chuvashia was contained and that the gas is now being delivered to consumers via parallel gas pipelines.

The Gazprom spokesperson added that a specially created commission has been established to investigate the causes of the incident. 

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Chuvashia, the fire was sparked due to a gas leak during maintenance works. 

"Today, at 13:50 Moscow time [10:50 GMT] in the Vurnarsky district of the Republic of Chuvashia, a depressurization with fire occurred at the section of the Urengoy—Center—2 gas pipeline. The damaged section of the gas pipeline was promptly localized. Gas is transported to consumers in full through parallel gas pipelines," the company said.

"The emergency team of Gazprom Transgaz Nizhny Novgorod promptly arrived at the scene and is preparing for repair works. A special commission will establish the causes of the accident," the company added.

🇷🇺🇪🇺 BREAKING: Large-scale explosion reported at key gas pipeline in #Chuvashia that supplies gas from #Russia to #Europe. pic.twitter.com/F7DWu8pyCs

— The informant (@theinformantofc) December 20, 2022

As for casualties, the regional governor of Chuvashia, Oleg Nikolayev, confirmed to reporters today that three people died as a result of the incident. 

"According to preliminary data, four people were working (at the site). Unfortunately, three of them died when gas suddenly ignited," Nikolayev said. 

"One person, a driver, survived and is in a state of shock," he added.

Earlier today, a fire erupted near the village of Yambakhtino, Republic of Chuvash, which is situated about 600 kilometers (372 miles) east of Moscow.

The Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline, also known as the Brotherhood pipeline, is one of Russia's main natural gas export pipelines which delivers gas from Siberia to Europe. 

Since the start of Moscow's special operation in Ukraine, Russia has considerably decreased its exports of gas to the EU in response to western sanctions. 

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