Deaths related to pipeline ruptures and/or explosions rose byeight to 26 last year, said a new National Transportation SafetyBoard (NTSB) report, which noted that most of the fatalitiesoccurred on natural gas pipelines.

Natural gas pipelines accounted for 22 of the 26pipeline-related deaths in 1999, according to preliminary figuresin the NTSB report that was issued this week. This compares to 17deaths from gas pipelines in 1998, it noted. Fatalities onhazardous liquid pipelines also rose in 1999 but by a smallermargin — from one to four.

Overall, however, pipelines accounted for a mere fraction of the43,986 persons that were killed in transportation-related accidentsin 1999.

In comparison, highway accidents were responsible for 41,611deaths last year; roadway/railway crossing mishaps, 402 deaths;rail accidents, 805 deaths; marine accidents, 853 deaths; andaviation mishaps, 691 deaths.

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