HELSINKI, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Finnish authorities are investigating the Eagle S, a tanker registered in the Cook Islands, for its possible role in the rupture of the Estlink 2 undersea power transmission cable in the Gulf of Finland on Wednesday.
The rupture occurred within Finland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Finnish police said in a press release on Thursday, adding that they are also investigating potential additional damage in the area.
Completed in 2014, The Estlink 2 cable transmits power between Finland and Estonia. It spans 145 km across the seabed and 15 km on land.
Following actions taken by Finnish authorities, the Eagle S entered Finland's territorial waters and its possible involvement in the incident is under investigation. The Helsinki Police Department, in cooperation with the Border Guard, conducted a tactical operation aboard the vessel, with assistance from helicopters.
The case is being classified as aggravated criminal mischief, with the National Bureau of Investigation leading the inquiry. Finnish Customs is also examining potential regulatory violations and the tanker's cargo.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo noted that he had contacted Baltic Sea allies, and that President Alexander Stubb had reached out to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). ■
