A gas pipeline broken by a grab at a construction site in Shanghai caused the suspension of gas supply to about 10,000 households last Thursday.

The accident happened at about 8am at the downtown crossing of Caoyang and Shunyi streets. A grab broke a 300 millimeter gas pipeline, and workers tried to plug the hole with bricks and mud. The leak was only contained after representatives from the gas company arrived to cut off the gas supply.

Firefighters sprayed water around the pipeline to dilute the gas and prevent explosion. The pipe was repaired at around 4pm and gas supply restored by 6pm.