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Latvia Probes Undersea Cable Damage Off Liepāja After Suspected Ship Strike

Latvian investigators are questioning a cooperating crew in port following the discovery of damage to a private fibre link.

Overview

  • Authorities confirmed a glass‑fibre cable near Liepāja was found damaged in Latvian territorial waters, with police pointing to a ship as the suspected cause.
  • Investigators boarded the identified vessel in the port of Liepāja and questioned its crew, who are cooperating, and neither the ship nor the crew has been detained.
  • Police said naval data indicate the vessel first passed over an inactive cable before altering course onto the link that was later found damaged.
  • Lithuania reported the affected line runs between Šventoji and Liepāja, and initial indications suggest no impact on Latvian consumers.
  • The case follows damage to an EstoniaFinland data cable around New Year’s Eve, after which Finland seized a freighter suspected of dragging an anchor, as NATO maintains heightened regional presence.