Sweden’s coast guard is investigating damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, the latest in a series of incidents affecting telecommunications and power cables. The incident has raised concerns about sabotage and the need for enhanced security measures in the region.
Sweden‘s coast guard has dispatched a vessel to waters east of Gotland, where reports indicate another undersea cable has been damaged. This incident is the latest in a series of events affecting telecommunications and power cables in the Baltic Sea.
The ‘We are assisting with the crime scene investigation, which is being led by police’ said the Swedish Coast Guard. The location of the breach falls within Sweden’s economic zone, further underscoring the nation’s interest in this matter. Finnish telecommunications company Cinia reported minor damage to its C-Lion1 fiber-optic cable but noted that there was no impact on the cable’s functionality.
This new development follows a series of incidents affecting undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. In January, authorities discovered damage to an undersea fiber-optic cable running between Gotland and Latvia, with sabotage initially suspected. However, further investigation ruled out this possibility. Other notable incidents include the damage to the Estlink 2 electricity cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia in December, as well as two telecom cables severed in Swedish waters a month earlier.
The Baltic Sea is a brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, bordering nine countries.
It covers an area of approximately 377,000 square kilometers and has a maximum depth of about 459 meters.
The sea is connected to the North Sea by the 'Skagerrak strait' and is a vital transportation route for cargo ships and oil tankers.
The Baltic Sea is also home to a diverse range of marine life, including over 3,000 species of fish and invertebrates.
In response to these incidents, NATO members, including Sweden, have announced plans to ramp up patrols in the Baltic Sea. This move is aimed at protecting critical underwater infrastructure. The situation remains under close watch by authorities and international organizations alike.
The investigation into this latest incident continues, with all parties involved working to determine the cause of the damage. As tensions rise, the need for enhanced security measures becomes increasingly clear.
