Blast in Iran gas pipeline not sabotage, under control - state TV

Ankara: Part of an Iranian gas pipeline exploded early on Saturday near the town of Gonaveh in the southern province of Bushehr, a local official told state TV, adding that it was not an act of sabotage.

"There were no fatalities and nearby villages have been evacuated as a safety measure ... part of the gas pipeline ... exploded near Gonaveh ... No dead has been reported," a local official told state TV.

Four workers were injured and were transferred to nearby hospitals, he added. 

Another official said a crisis management headquarter had been set up in Gonaveh.

"The pipeline has been disconnected from the system ... the fire will be fully ... under control as soon as the gas inside the pipeline is evacuated," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted the official as saying.