Germany announces probe into Nord Stream pipelines blasts

Germany wants to support Denmark and Sweden in the investigation into explosions at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea this week, reported dpa.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced a joint investigation group. "All indications point to acts of sabotage on the Nord Stream pipelines," she told the Sunday edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper in comments seen in advance by dpa.

Germany is working very closely with Denmark and Sweden to clarify the background to the explosions. "We now want to form a joint investigation team ... under EU law to which all three states will send investigators," Faeser said.

Experts from the navy, police and intelligence services should work together on the investigation. Faeser also announced sea checks with neighbouring Poland, Denmark and Sweden.

"We are patrolling the sea in close coordination with each other. We are showing the maximum possible presence," she said. All available ships from the German federal police would be deployed for this purpose. She made similar comments to the broadsheet Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Since the early hours of Monday, a total of four leaks have been detected in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. Many states assume sabotage.

At least two explosions had occurred under water, Denmark and Sweden said in a letter dated Thursday. Seismological institutes measured a magnitude of 2.3 and 2.1, which "probably corresponds to an explosive charge of several hundred kilograms."