A gas pipeline explosion occurred Wednesday morning in southern Moldova, and Russia's gas supplies to the Balkans were suspended after the incident.

The blast took place at about 05:30 local time (GMT 03:30) in the southern district of Causeni, between the localities Copanca and Chitcani, reported the Moldovan Basa-press news agency citing Liliana Puscasu, spokesperson of the Service for Civil Protection and Special Situation in Moldova.

The explosion left a 100-meter wide crater on the ground, said the spokesperson, adding that no one wounded in the blast.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2009)