Gas pipeline explodes in Syria, knocks three power plants offline

A gas pipeline has exploded in Syria , knocking three power plants offline and sparking a large fire, according to state-run news agency SANA. The Syrian Electricity Company said on Wednesday that the Deir Ali, al-Nasiriyah and Tishreen power plants were out of service because of inadequate gas supplies following the blast in Eastern Ghouta, an area in the Damascus countryside. The fire is ongoing, and authorities are yet to identify the cause of the explosion. The Syrian Electricity Company said specialised teams were working to resolve the situation. It warned that the shutdown of the three power plants would increase power rationing hours due to dwindling electricity supplies.