Taiwan’s Coast Guard has detained a cargo ship and its Chinese crew after an undersea cable in the Taiwan Strait was damaged on 25 February.
On 25 February at around 3:00 AM, Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration received a report from Chunghwa Telecom stating that the Taiwan-Penghu third undersea cable had been severed 6 nautical miles northwest of Jiankun Fishing Port.
Moroever, backup systems were activated ensuring there would be no impact on communications, and the Coast Guard was requested to assist in investigating the matter. At 2:30 AM, the Coast Guard deployed a vessel to monitor the cargo ship in the area.
It was found that the vessel had anchored, and the Coast Guard immediately issued a broadcast to order it to leave, maintaining continuous surveillance. After receiving the report from Chunghwa Telecom, the Coast Guard attempted to stop the ship for investigation but due to the large difference in draft and poor sea conditions, they were unable to board.
Furthermore, additional support vessels were dispatched escorting the cargo ship back to Anping Port in Tainan. As stated, the case is being handled according to national security protocols and is under investigation by the Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office.
“Whether the cause of the undersea cable breakage was intentional sabotage or a simple accident remains to be clarified by further investigation” the Coast Guard pointed out.
