Explosion shuts down oil pipeline in Turkey

Official says explosions and fire have shut down one of twin pipelines in southeastern Turkey that carries oil from Iraq to the Mediterranean.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules, says explosions near the southeastern town of Idil sparked fire at the pipeline, forcing authorities to shut it down early Thursday.

He says the fire has been extinguished and the oil flow to the Turkish port of Ceyhan from the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk is underway through a second parallel pipeline.

The official says the explosions may have been deliberate. Kurdish rebels, fighting for autonomy in the country's Kurdish-dominated southeast, have bombed the pipeline before.

It is not clear when the damaged pipeline will reopen.

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