Swedish authorities have boarded a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier as part of an investigation into damage to an undersea cable linking Latvia and Sweden.
The cable, located in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea, was damaged on 26 January, prompting NATO to deploy patrol ships and Swedish prosecutors to order the ship’s seizure. The vessel was escorted to Swedish waters and found anchored near Karlskrona, Reuters reports.
Television footage showed the ship with a damaged anchor, which may have contributed to the cable’s rupture. The ship’s crew, initially held at gunpoint, is cooperating with authorities.
Captain of the ship acknowledged the possibility that the anchor caused the damage during high winds but denied malicious intent. However, Swedish meteorologists reported relatively mild conditions in the area at the time.
Meanwhile, NATO has increased its presence in the Baltic Sea to protect critical infrastructure, citing heightened concerns over repeated damage to underwater cables and power lines.
According to Reuters, Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna voiced skepticism about the incidents being coincidental, following similar damage last month involving a tanker suspected of dragging its anchor across cables between Finland and Estonia.
Investigations into multiple vessels in the Baltic Sea continue.
