Remember that high pressure fuel and gas pipes criss cross the nation both in the road and on private and agricultural land. For any works big or small, public or private you MUST check for their presence and ensure that your area of works has been swept and confirmed clear of pipes like this or any other utilities.
If any are present you must liase directly with the pipeline owner before beginning work. We send our condolences that those affected by this terrible incident and hope that by highlighting these we can spread the word of planning your work and conducting it safely so that we can minimize or even eliminate the tragic consequences that can occur from excavation damage.