An undersea fibre-optic cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged in the Baltic Sea, probably due to an “external force,” Latvian portal LSM reports, citing the cable’s owner, Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC).
The centre recorded interruptions in data transmission and services to consumers on the Ventspils – Gotland section. The organisation said:
“At the moment there are reasons to believe that the cable is significantly damaged and that the damage is caused by external influences.”
The operator warned subscribers about possible delays in data transmission, but noted that at the moment, according to its observations, the problem has not affected end customers in Latvia itself. The traffic of the centre’s customers represented by other service provider companies has been redirected through other cables.
The centre informed the authorities about the incident. Latvian law enforcers have opened a criminal case on the fact of cable damage.
The operator has started negotiations with a foreign contractor who can technically repair the damaged cable.
The investigation is underway
The damaged LVRTC cable runs through Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, which is also the point where it was damaged. The Latvian Navy has liaised with NATO allies, including Sweden, and sent a patrol vessel to the site of the breakage.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa convened a meeting of responsible ministries and services in connection with the incident. She said that Latvia continues to co-operate with NATO and the Baltic States in order to clarify the circumstances of the incident. The Swedish Coast Guard has been involved in the investigation, and Stockholm has promised to provide Latvia with the necessary assistance.
A Latvian patrol ship inspected the area of possible cable damage, and its crew inspected the Michalis San vessel, which, according to LSM, is bound for Russia. According to the Marine Traffic portal, it is a bulk carrier sailing from the Algerian port of Bejaia under the flag of Malta, its destination is not determined. The vessel is now in the Baltic Sea south of the Swedish coast.
No suspicious activity has been detected on board the vessel, and the Latvian side has not detected any damage to the anchor, LSM reports.
