The explosion on the gas pipeline in Causeni district was due to the wear degree of the metal or to cracks that appeared in the pipe owing to long-term use. This is the conclusion of the special commission for establishing the causes of the November 8 explosion on the section of the Razdelinaia-Izmail gas main between Saiti and Opaci villages of Causeni district. The commission determined that the explosion was caused by unknown substances that were deposited on the internal walls of the pipe, the Commission's head, Minister of the Interior Victor Catan said Monday, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. According to Catan, manufacturing defects and improper connection of the pipes may also be among causes. “The special commission established that none of the objects collected in the area of the explosion contained explosive substances. Thus, the specialists consider the explosion could not have been caused by external factors or on purpose,” Catan said. The president of Moldova-Gaz SA Alexandr Gusev, a member of the special commission, said the pipe might have been used for several years more as according to statistics a pipe can be used for 40 years. Every five years, the pipes are checked. The last check was carried our in 2005 and that portion of the pipe was in a good condition. No repair works have been performed there,” Gusev said. According to Alexandr Gusev, it is now not possible to fully replace the pipeline as parts of Europe will remain without gas, while the operation will cost tens of million euros. Thus, there will be replaced only the damaged segment of the pipe. Victor Catan also said that Moldova-Gaz should thoroughly examine the pipeline so as to prevent possible dangers and plan investments to renovate ad test the gas pipes. The explosion on the pipe occurred at a depth of 4 meters. As a result, the gas supply to the settlements of Stefan Voda district and to nine settlements of Caseni district was disrupted. The gas main was put in commission in 1974. It has a diameter of 820. The wall's thickness is 9 to 11 mm.