A masked mob of ax-wielding vandals attacked a natural gas pipeline project in British Columbia, smashing vehicles and firing flare guns at workers after cutting fuel lines on Thursday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it is investigating the “organized violent attack” on workers, the police, and equipment used to construct the Coastal GasLink pipeline that runs 416 miles across British Columbia, the Financial Post reported.
“This coordinated and criminal attack from multiple directions threatened the lives of several workers,” Coastal GasLink reported on its website. “In one of the most concerning acts, an attempt was made to set a vehicle on fire while workers were inside. The attackers also wielded axes, swinging them at vehicles and through a truck’s window.”
Nine workers fled during the attack, and none were injured. However, millions of dollars in damage were done, including creating an environmental hazard with the cut fuel and hydraulic equipment lines.
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The attack by 20 people appeared to be well coordinated to prevent a quick response by law enforcement in the remote location. The mob attempted to block an access road by cutting down trees, lighting them on fire, and placing tire spikes. Vandals then used grinders to cut through locks at the construction site, the company said.
The same area was the site of a blockade last year that lasted 59 days.
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“Our work is lawful, authorized, fully permitted and has the unprecedented support of local and Indigenous communities and agreements in place with all 20 elected First Nation councils across the 670 km route,” the company said.
