Taiwan Coast Guard Apprehends Vessel Linked to Undersea Cable Damage

Taiwan’s coast guard has detained the crew of a Togolese-registered vessel suspected of damaging an undersea fiber optic cable which connects Taiwan and Penghu. The incident unfolded on Tuesday and raised significant concerns about potential hostile activity.

Details of the Incident

The coast guard authorities reported that the vessel, identified as the Hong Tai 168, had been surveilling the area near the vital cable since 7 p.m. on February 22. In light of growing concerns, a coast guard vessel was dispatched at approximately 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, instructing the Hong Tai 168 to vacate the vicinity.

By 3 a.m., coast guard officials confirmed that the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable had indeed been severed. Immediate action followed, leading to the detention of the vessel’s crew, which consisted entirely of Chinese nationals, according to the coast guard’s statements.

Impact on Communications

Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs acted swiftly, confirming that communications were rerouted through alternative cables immediately after the incident. Fortunately, this response ensured that there was no overall disruption to service, allowing essential communications to continue.