Seismologists have called for more research to be conducted into seismic activity in northeastern Greece in a bid to identify potential dangers in the area ahead of the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline.

The pipeline, which will pump Russian crude from the Bulgarian port of Burgas to Alexandroupolis, could be at risk in the seismically active region, according to experts.

Seismologist Gerassimios Houliaras of the Athens University Geodynamic Institute described as “unacceptable” the lack of Greek monitoring units in the region.

“For a more complete study of the area we need to place seismographs on Samothrace and in the south of the Evros region. This is imperative ahead of the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline,” he added.

The 1-billion-euro project has been heralded by the government as offering an economic boost to the region but concerns have also been voiced about its impact on the environment.