European Naval Forces Surround Chinese Vessel Amid Ongoing Cable Investigation

European nations have surrounded a Chinese commercial vessel as investigations continue into the severing of undersea cables, with authorities considering sabotage, while U.S. intelligence suggests no deliberate damage was intended.

In a surprising maritime incident, the European naval and coast guard units are closely monitoring a Chinese bulk carrier named Yi Peng 3, which has been anchored in the Baltic Sea for over a week. This heightened scrutiny follows an alarming discovery that two undersea fiber-optic cables have been severed, prompting an investigation involving a task force from Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania.

The focal point of the investigation is whether the anchor of the Chinese vessel inadvertently caused the cables’ damage by dragging across the sea floor. Swedish police officials announced on Wednesday that their preliminary inquiries had begun, yet they have not reached any definitive conclusions. They stated, however, that the investigation remains active.

Notably, U.S. intelligence has suggested that there was no indication the cables were cut with intent. “The preliminary investigation was initiated because it cannot be ruled out that the cables were deliberately damaged,” stated Per Engström, the superintendent of the Swedish police, emphasizing a current classification of the scenario as sabotage.

Denmark is reportedly engaged in talks with multiple countries, including China, as questions mount over the incident. The situation has heightened nervousness throughout Europe, especially considering a series of previous sabotage attempts, including various forms of vandalism and arson attacks, that many attribute to Russian intelligence operations.

As the inquiry continues, the investigation highlights the intricate tensions in the Baltic region, intertwining naval security, international relations, and the covert nature of modern espionage.