Wave of Sabotage Hits Telecommunications Masts Along Sweden's East Coast
Investigations into sabotage incidents against telecommunications masts escalate along Sweden's east coast.
Key Points
- • Police investigate around 30 sabotage incidents targeting telecommunications masts along the E22.
- • Incidents involve cable cutting and equipment damage, causing network disruptions.
- • Authorities suspect a single perpetrator may be responsible for most attacks.
- • Sabotage incidents against critical infrastructure have sharply increased in Sweden.
The Swedish police have initiated an investigation into a series of approximately 30 sabotage incidents targeting telecommunications masts predominantly located along the E22 highway on the east coast. These acts of sabotage, which began to be reported during the Easter weekend, have involved the cutting of cables and destruction of equipment, causing significant disruptions to mobile network services. Notably, no theft has been reported as part of these attacks.
Criminal Commissioner Håkan Wessung indicated that the police are treating the situation seriously, focusing on the possibility that a single perpetrator may be behind most of the incidents. He stated, "We do not rule anything out" regarding the potential motivations for the attacks. This latest surge in telecommunications infrastructure sabotage signifies a troubling trend in Sweden, with laws and regulations offering critical infrastructure protection becoming a focal point of concern.
The incidents have not only raised alarms among local authorities but also highlight a sharp increase in such crimes across the nation. Reports from Teracom, a state-owned company managing communication masts, reveal a dramatic rise in incidents from just 15 cases in early 2024 to around 50 in the same period in 2025. This escalation underscores a growing threat to the nation's critical infrastructure, prompting heightened awareness and preventive measures from security agencies.
Roger Gustafsson, security chief at the Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), remarked on the geographical concentration of the attacks, which could indicate a systematic targeting of telecommunication facilities. The investigations are being led by the serious crimes unit in Kalmar, which is actively collecting and analyzing information pertaining to these sabotage incidents.
In conclusion, while the investigation is ongoing and authorities attempt to determine the motivations and potential connections among the incidents, the recent wave of vandalism raises urgent questions about the safety and security of essential services in Sweden.