The explosion which caused a massive blaze at a major oil pipeline in the Bahraini village of Buri on Friday night was an act of terror, reported the BNA, citing the Minister of Interior.

Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa stressed that the blast was the latest example of a terrorist act carried out by terrorists in direct contact with, and under instructions from, Iran, stated the report.

Shaikh Rashid reaffirmed that the Ministry of Interior’s top priority was the safety and security of all citizens, and it will spare no effort to maintain public safety.

The blast which reportedly occurred at around 10pm on Friday night in Buri forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes and a nearby hospital.

The Minister of Interior was at the site of Friday’s oil pipeline blast that was successfully controlled in record time by the civil defence response team, said the BNA report.

Speaking at the site alongside the head of public security and a number of officials, Shaikh Rashid said the civil defence team had dealt with the incident in record time.

The Civil Defence team was able to get the fire under control in the early hours of this morning, in co-ordination with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) team which shut down the flow of oil to the pipeline.

An evacuation plan was activated with the assistance of the Northern Governorate Police Department and accommodation was found for local residents affected by the fire, which damaged several buildings.

The residents who were transferred to temporary accommodation expressed their thanks and appreciation for the quick response and the implementation of safety and security measures by the Civil Defence team.

The local road network remains closed while the investigation continues and the General Directorate of Traffic has called on motorists to take alternative routes until further notice.

Shaikh Rashid expressed his thanks and appreciation to the security authorities, Bapco and to the citizens who co-operated with the response team, whose collective actions ensured that there were no casualties.

The Public Prosecution was informed of the incident and security authorities started to investigate the causes of the fire.

Evidence gathered during the investigation confirmed that it was an act of terrorism designed to undermine the security of the Kingdom and its citizens, reported the BNA.

A further investigation is currently underway to identify the perpetrators and to bring them to justice, it added.

Meanwhile, the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) condemned the terrorist oil pipeline blast near Buri village.

It denounced the heinous act of sabotage which endangered lives, terrorised innocent people and targeted Bahrain’s national economy and vital interests.

NIHR described the blast as a gross violation of human rights.

In a statement, the institution voiced deep concerns over the oil pipeline blast which damaged several buildings and vehicles due to billowing smoke and heat.

“The inalienable right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is an integral part of human rights”, it added.