Moldova says gas blast won't affect supplies

CHISINAU, Nov 8 (Reuters) - An explosion damaged a Moldovan pipeline used to deliver Russian gas to the Balkans on Sunday, but supplies to Europe were unaffected, the government said.

A stretch of pipeline around 70 kilometres (45 miles) southeast of the capital Chisinau exploded at 0220 GMT, cutting supplies to some regions of Moldova, the government said in a statement.

But supplies of Russian gas to Balkan consumers is continuing through other routes, said government spokesman Igor Volnitsky.

"Gas is flowing to the Balkans at the same levels as before," he said, adding that the pipeline would be repaired within 72 hours.

An explosion in a gas pipeline in the separatist Moldovan region of Transdniestria in April caused a sharp drop in supplies to Turkey and Bulgaria. (Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Greg Mahlich)