Likely Finland's gas pipeline leak was caused by 'external action', says PM
As we have been reporting this afternoon, Finland believes there may have been deliberate damage to its gas pipeline from Estonia.
An unusual drop in pressure was observed in the Balticconnector undersea pipeline shortly before 2am on Sunday, according to Finnish daily newspaper Iltalehti.
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is holding a news conference on the apparent "attack" at the moment, and says it is "likely" the leak has been caused by "external action".
The government has been closely monitoring the situation and an investigation into the leak is at an "early stage", he adds.
"It is too early to draw conclusions on who or what caused the damage," he says.
However, he reassures the public that the damage has not affected the country's overall connectivity.
Finland's coastguard is also speaking at the conference, and says "clear damage" was found on the pipeline this morning.
He reiterates Mr Orpo's statement, saying the destruction appears to have been caused by an "external factor".
But, the country's National Bureau of Investigation says it is still "verifying" if the damage has been done deliberately or accidentally.
Repairs to the pipeline could take months, the economic affairs ministry adds, warning gas prices could increase this winter.
Finland has recently become a NATO member, meaning if it is attacked, it will be backed by allied countries.
The country's defence forces has said it has passed on the information it has on the pipeline situation to the military alliance.