Three people were killed in an explosion at a pipeline in central Russia that transports gas from the country’s Arctic region through Ukraine to Europe, authorities said on Tuesday, according to Russian news agency TASS, Reuters reported.

An explosion on a pipeline that transports gas from Russia through Ukraine to EuropePhoto: shot from Twitter

The local authorities announced the termination of gas supply through the Urengoi-Pomari-Uzhhorod gas pipeline section.

According to local emergency services cited by TASS, three people were killed and one was injured.

The Ministry of Emergencies of the Chuvash region reported that the pipeline explosion occurred during planned repair works near the village of Kalinino, approximately 150 km west of the city of Kazan. The ministry also said that the gas flame was extinguished.

The gas pipeline, built in the 1980s, enters Ukraine through the Suja water metering point, which is now the main route for Russian gas to reach Europe.

The headquarters of state gas producer Gazprom and a local subsidiary did not immediately respond to Reuters inquiries.

On Tuesday, Gazprom said it expected to pump 43 million cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine via Suja in the next 24 hours, matching the volume of the past few days.