Estonia Finnish investigators: Kilometer-long trail on the seabed

SDA

29.12.2024 - 21:36

Oil tanker "Eagle S" off Porkkalanniemi, Kirkkonummi, in the Gulf of Finland, next to the Finnish tug Ukko. Photo: Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/dpa
Oil tanker "Eagle S" off Porkkalanniemi, Kirkkonummi, in the Gulf of Finland, next to the Finnish tug Ukko. Photo: Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/dpa
Keystone

Following the failure of an underwater power line in the Baltic Sea, Finnish investigators have discovered a suspicious drag mark on the seabed. "The trail is dozens of kilometers long," said investigator Sami Paila.

Keystone-SDA

It is suspected that the oil tanker "Eagle S", which was detained by the Finnish authorities, dragged its anchor along the bottom in order to damage the cable.

The ship sails under the flag of the Cook Islands and, according to the EU, belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet. This refers to tankers and other cargo ships that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions, for example in the transportation of oil.

According to the police, investigators on board are carrying out technical investigations and questioning the crew. Bad weather at sea has hampered the investigation. It has not yet been possible to locate where the anchor came loose.

At Christmas, the Estlink2 power connection between Finland and Estonia failed. Several communication cables in the Baltic Sea were also disrupted. The police emphasized that the investigation is still at an early stage.