Damaged cables appear to be accident, Finland says
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Finland’s transport agency, Traficom, has confirmed that the fibre-optic cables connecting Finland and Sweden were likely damaged accidentally during construction work. The cables, which are vital for communication between the two countries, were reported to have been cut, but Traficom has since stated that repairs have been made.
Initially, Swedish authorities had suspected the damage was an act of “sabotage” due to the strategic importance of the cable. However, Finnish police have downplayed this theory, stating that they did not have sufficient evidence to consider criminal activity. Traficom’s official statement indicated that both cables seemed to have been severed during excavation work, rather than from any deliberate malice.
The cables, operated by Nordic telecom company GlobalConnect, had disrupted services for some Finnish users. According to a report from GlobalConnect, approximately 6,000 households in Finland experienced a loss of connectivity on Monday, though no users in Sweden were affected by the incident. The company confirmed that at least one of the cable breaks was linked to construction activities.
While Swedish authorities initially speculated sabotage, this claim appears to have been incorrect, as the situation unfolded. Nonetheless, the timing and location of the damage have drawn attention, especially considering the heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Baltic Sea area has been marked by a number of incidents involving damage to undersea infrastructure, leading to increased scrutiny of any potential threats to vital communication and energy networks.
In the context of these tensions, the accidental damage to the cables has been seen by some as part of a broader series of events that highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the Baltic. However, Finnish and Swedish authorities have reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern, and no evidence of an intentional attack on the cables has been found.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing and maintaining vital communication networks, particularly under the strain of ongoing geopolitical conflict in Europe. Despite the initial concerns, the swift repairs and the clarification from authorities have mitigated fears of sabotage, leaving the focus on ensuring the security and resilience of these critical connections moving forward.
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