Environmental Disaster

 

GAS PIPELINE EXPLODES IN MON STATE

(Kao-Wao / Three Pagodas Pass, February 17, 2003)

 

A section of a gas pipeline exploded on February 11, 2003 between 1- 2 AM

local time in southern Mon State according to local source.

 

The explosion on the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay gas pipeline occurred near La-Mine

village of Northern Ye Township. Soon after the accident was seen, the

village headmen reported to the authorities to stop sending gas from its

source.  After an hour of leaking, it was reported, the State Peace and

Development Council authorities managed to put out the fire, which destroyed

some plants near the area.

 

According to the Democratic Voice of Burma radio (Mon Program), authorities

have not figured out what caused the explosion.  Neither damage was reported

nor the insurgent groups had claimed responsibility.

 

After explosion, the SPDC authorities ordered local Burma Army to increase

security along the pipeline.  It was the third time such an accident

occurred and the two were occurred last year.  On January 5, 2002, a gas

pipeline near a bridge between Chaktwe and Daymai Mon village in Mudon

Township exploded at one of its junctions adjacent to two Mon villages.

 

Another section of the gas pipeline exploded on April 30, 2002 at 10 PM

local time near Anin and Hntit-kayin villages of Ye Township razing a

railway bridge and preventing access along Moulmein-Ye railroad.

 

“People living near the gas pipeline are concerned for their safety. They

argue it was built with poor technology and engineering”, said Nai Chan from

Ye, Mon State.

 

SPDC's Ministry of Construction built the Kanbauk-Myaingkalay pipeline in

early 2001 in cooperation with security from the Southeast Military Command

that took seven months to complete. The 150 miles KanPauk- MyaingKalay

pipeline runs across Mon State from northern Tenasserim Division to Karen

State was built from Kanbauk on-shore gas station to supply a cement factory

in Pa-an Township, Karen State.

 

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