Gas pipeline explosion takes three Syrian power plants offline

A gas pipeline blast in eastern Ghouta has shut three Syrian power plants and will lengthen power rationing hours, the state-run electricity company said.

• The Syrian Electricity Company said the Deir Ali, al-Nasiriyah and Tishreen power plants went offline Wednesday after the blast cut gas supplies.
• The fire from the explosion is ongoing, and authorities have yet to identify its cause.
• The company warned the plant shutdown would increase power rationing hours as electricity supplies dwindle.
• Syria's gas network was hit by two earlier explosions in the past six weeks, which the Syrian Petroleum Company attributed to sabotage.