Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Anchor Cut Persian Gulf Internet Cable

Source unknown; severance raises questions of sabotage

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2008 5:41 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – The severed Internet cable in the Persian Gulf was the work of a 5.5-ton ship’s anchor, the AP reports. A crew from the FLAG telecommunications company, which owns the cable, found the anchor near Dubai and hauled it up; how the cut occurred is still unexplained. The incident spawned Internet-usage problems through the Middle East and areas of Asia.

FLAG has not identified the ship that dropped the anchor. The cut has sparked bloggers to question whether intent was involved; authorities have not commented. But some believe the severance calls for tougher cable security. “If ports, railways, gas pipelines and other networks are being secured against possible sabotage,” says an analyst, “we must similarly increase the security of undersea optical highways.”

Map shows damaged undersea cables off the coast of Egypt; 2c x 3 1/8 inches; 96.3 mm x 79.4 mm
Map shows damaged undersea cables off the coast of Egypt; 2c x 3 1/8 inches; 96.3 mm x 79.4 mm   (Associated Press)
ADDS world map to graphic that moved Jan. 31; graphic shows undersea communications cables in Europe and the Mideast; 2c x 5 1/2 inches; 96.3 mm x 139.7 mm
ADDS world map to graphic that moved Jan. 31; graphic shows undersea communications cables in Europe and the Mideast; 2c x 5 1/2 inches; 96.3 mm x 139.7 mm   (Associated Press)
An internet cafe is seen empty in Cairo, Egypt, Friday Feb. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Ahmed Yassin)
An internet cafe is seen empty in Cairo, Egypt, Friday Feb. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Ahmed Yassin)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Cable cuts in context
CNN

More on cuts and conspiracy
Wired

FLAG telecom's site, with updates on the cable cuts
FLAG Telecom

 
Persian Gulf • Internet security • undersea Internet cables • FLAG telecom • anchor

More Newser Stories

2 Internet Cables Repaired
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne