The Swiss-based operator of the Russia-led Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline says it has completed initial data gathering at the location of the pipeline damage on line 1 in the Swedish exclusive economic zone and found "technogenic craters".
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"According to preliminary results of the damage site inspection, technogenic craters with a depth of three to five metres were found on the seabed at a distance of about 248 metres from each other," it said.
Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, laid on the bed of the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, were damaged in September.
Russia's defence ministry said on Saturday that British navy personnel blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines, a claim that UK officials said was false.
Sweden and Denmark have both concluded that four leaks on Nord Stream 1 and 2 were caused by explosions but have not said who might be responsible.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called the damage an act of sabotage.
"The section of the pipe between the craters is destroyed, the radius of pipe fragments dispersion is at least 250 metres. Experts continue to analyse the survey data," Nord Stream AG added.
Australian Associated Press
