Germany’s government has warned that the damage caused by the recent sabotage attacks on both Nord Stream 1 and 2 has likely left the pipelines “permanently” unusable.
German security officials say they believe that both Nord Stream gas pipeline systems could be damaged beyond repair.
The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that officials determined that large amounts of corrosive saltwater flowed into pipelines following multiple leaks that were discovered on Tuesday.
The damage caused to the pipelines by the saltwater could make them “permanently inoperable,” according to the report.
As Slay News reported, multiple leaks were discovered in the pipelines on Tuesday.
European countries found significant gas leaks at three separate locations in the Baltic Sea, causing severe drops in the pipelines’ pressure.
The major drops in pressure forced the pipelines to go offline.
According to The Telegraph, which cited the German outlet Tagesspiegel, German authorities fear that the pipelines are now “permanently inoperable,” which would further cut fuel supplies to an energy-starved Germany.
Both the German government and the European Union have stated that the leaks were caused by an intentional act of sabotage.
Sweden detected underwater explosions in the pipeline’s area before the damage was detected, according to The New York Times.
Investigations by Denmark also confirmed that the damage could not have happened accidentally.
Germany is currently embroiled in an energy crisis that is being exacerbated by the reduction of Russian gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
The German government is planning to place price caps on natural gas and electricity.
Officials hope the move will bring down the crippling energy bills that are forcing businesses to shut down, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Russia, which delivered 45% of Europe’s natural gas before the invasion of Ukraine, has also been previously accused of cutting off gas deliveries to punish Europe for its support of Ukraine.
However, the Russian government on Wednesday claimed that it had nothing to do with the pipeline leaks, according to Reuters.
Germany and other EU nations have continuously placed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine and will ban Russian oil imports at the end of 2022.
