Sweden finds explosive traces at Nord Stream blast sites, confirms sabotage

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BRUSSELS — The mysterious blasts in September that made the largest-capacity natural gas pipelines from Russia to Europe inoperable were caused by “gross sabotage,” Swedish authorities confirmed Friday, noting that traces of explosives have been found as part of the ongoing investigation.

European officials began using the term “sabotage” within hours of the simultaneous blasts in late September. Seismologists said the data pointed to explosions, not naturally occurring earthquakes or landslides

One of four leaks at one of the damaged Nord Stream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, as seen on Sept. 29.

Traces of explosives have been found at the sites of the Nord Stream pipeline blasts, confirming that sabotage had taken place, a Swedish prosecutor said on Friday.

Swedish and Danish authorities are investigating four holes in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines which link Russia and Germany via the Baltic Sea and have become a flashpoint in the Ukraine crisis.

Denmark last month said a preliminary investigation had shown that the leaks were caused by powerful explosions.

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