A telecommunications cable between Finland and Estonia is damaged in the Gulf of Finland. The vessel is detained
In the Gulf of Finland, a submarine telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia has been damaged. Finnish authorities detained a vessel suspected of involvement in the incident. This is reported by international agencies with reference to the Finnish police, DW writes.
It is a cable owned by the telecommunications company Elisa and located in the Estonian exclusive economic zone. The investigation is being conducted under the articles on intentional grievous damage to property, attempted such damage and intentional grievous interference with telecommunications
A Finnish Border Guard patrol vessel and helicopter spotted the suspected ship in the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone. At the time of the inspection, its anchor chain was lowered into the sea. Finnish President Alexander Stubb confirmed that the vessel had been inspected and emphasised the country's readiness to respond to security challenges
According to the Finnish edition of Helsingin Sanomat, the detained vessel is called Fitburg and flies the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Marinetraffic service reports that the cargo ship left St Petersburg and was heading to Israel.
Elisa noted that the damage did not affect the provision of services in Finland and Estonia due to the redundant network architecture. At the same time, the Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Development reported that five submarine cables, including four international cables and one between Hiiumaa and the mainland, have been damaged in recent days. In some cases, stormy weather conditions may have been the cause
