Russia: Earthquake, gas pipeline explosion in Sochi

A gas pipeline exploded before a moderate intensity earthquake occurred in Russia's resort on the Black Sea coast of Russia, which will take place in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Irina Gogoleva, of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, said no one was injured and it seemed that there was no damage to the city's infrastructure after the 5.2 richter earthquake on 2h42 (local time). December 26.

'The Ministry of Emergency Situations has inspected the city's districts, bridges and electric cables, but no damage has been detected , ' Gogoleva said. The epicenter was about 150 km from Sochi, in the Black Sea.

In an unrelated incident, a gas pipeline supplied to the local power plant exploded several hours before the earthquake. The cause of the explosion has not been determined.

Sochi, the first Russian city granted the right to host the winter Olympics, is located on the coast adjacent to Georgia, the country had a short war with Russia in 2008. The vast Caucasus region including Sochi is a ' hot spots' political tension in Russia.