Finnish Police Impose Travel Ban on Seven Employees of Tanker ‘Eagle S’

Crew Training Halted as Police Investigate Underwater Cable Disruption; Eagle S Tanker Suspected

Police have suspended the training of crew members on a ship today, as they commence an investigation into the disruption of the Estlink 2 undersea cable, a major fiber optic link between Finland and Estonia. The training was previously halted due to adverse weather conditions.

The crime unit of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation has taken up the case, examining the incident in connection with the damage to the cable. Investigators are currently analyzing the area where the ship’s anchor was allegedly deployed, attempting to locate any traces left by the vessel.

Police suspect that the Russian-owned tanker, Eagle S, which was impounded on Christmas Day following concerns over safety and labor conditions, may be linked to the cable’s damage. The Eagle S had set off cable warning signals on its passage through the Sund strait on Christmas Day.

Sami Palla, head of the police investigation team, revealed that the ship’s remains were spread over an area of tens to hundreds of kilometers in the Baltic Sea. He emphasized that identifying the ship’s last known position was crucial to the ongoing investigation.

Investigators initially believed the cable damage might have resulted from a mistake, but Palla’s recent statement implies that the possibility of deliberate tampering is being examined.

According to Finnish media, the captain of the Eagle S has engaged a lawyer, who is already involved in legal proceedings regarding the crew’s working conditions and pay. The crew, consisting of individuals from Georgia and India, had their mobile phones confiscated, although the captain managed to make contact using a satellite phone.

In addition to the ship’s logbook, police are also examining the vessel’s onboard computer system, where the history of its movements is believed to be recorded.