A fire broke out at the 36-inch Khangiran gas pipeline when it was mistakenly struck by an excavation machine on Friday morning (Sept. 10, 2010), reports the Public Relations Department of Gas Engineering and Development Company.

Elaborating on the incident, Engineer Alireza Gharibi, the managing director of Gas Engineering and Development Company said: “The incident occurred at kilometer 40 of Khangiran 36-inch gas pipeline. Investigations show that due to the mountainous nature of the region and location of the pipeline on sloppy land, a mechanical shovel went out of control and hit the pipeline.” According to Gharibi, the fire was fully checked within three hours.

Immediately after the outbreak of the fire, the NIGEDC managing director noted, two crisis management headquarters were set up, one at the governor general’s office in Mashad (Khorassan Razavi Province) and one at the National Iranian Gas Company. He added: “The injured were transferred to Imam Reza hospital in Mashad by helicopter and ambulance thanks to the efforts of the regional Red Crescent organization, the oil industry’s medical care unit as well as the governor general’s office. Six of the injured received outpatient treatment and 10 others were hospitalized.”

Gharibi said that the situation was now fully under control and the gas supply will become normal within the next 48 hours. He added that gas shortage in the province had been met through other pipelines and there was not disruption in gas supply.

The Public Relations Department of Gas Engineering and Development Company prays for rapid recovery of the injured and expresses condolences to the families of the victims; may their soul rest in peace!