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Investigation Launched Following Undersea Cable Damage in Baltic Sea
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Swedish authorities have initiated an investigation into a Maltese-flagged vessel believed to be linked to a recent incident involving undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. The Swedish Security Services confirmed on Monday that officials boarded the ship as part of their inquiries.
“We can confirm that persons from Swedish authorities have been on board the vessel to carry out investigative measures,” stated Johan Wikstrom, spokesperson for the Swedish Security Services. He opted not to provide further details regarding the ongoing investigation.
The situation escalated over the weekend when Latvia reported that an undersea cable connecting it to Sweden suffered damage early Sunday morning, which likely stemmed from external interference. This incident prompted NATO to dispatch patrol ships to the region and led to a sabotage investigation by Swedish authorities.
In connection with the probe, a Swedish prosecutor issued orders for the seizure of a vessel. Marine Traffic data indicated that the bulk carrier Vezhen was escorted by a coastguard vessel into Swedish waters on Sunday, ultimately anchoring there. Notably, the Vezhen was recorded passing near the damaged fibre optic cable at 0045 GMT.
Television reports from Sweden’s TV4 revealed that the Vezhen was anchored approximately 10 kilometers south of the naval base in Karlskrona, where it appeared to show signs of a damaged anchor.
While it remains uncertain whether the Vezhen was responsible for the damage, the Latvian navy reported that they were investigating three ships in relation to the incident.
The vessel is operated by Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the situation.
In response to the broader concerns related to undersea infrastructure security, NATO announced last week that it would be deploying frigates, patrol aircraft, and naval drones in the Baltic Sea. This move aims to safeguard critical infrastructure and allows for intervention against vessels suspected of posing security threats.
Additionally, Finnish authorities recently seized a tanker believed to be carrying Russian oil, which they suspect may have caused damage to the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line, as well as to four telecommunications cables, by dragging its anchor along the seabed.
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