Fiber cables deliberately cut, disrupting train and telecom services

Finnish police are investigating two cases of deliberate fiber optic cable cuts, one of which halted train traffic between Tampere and Seinäjoki on Midsummer Eve, Yle reports.

The first incident occurred in Ylöjärvi, where cables were severed, bringing trains to a standstill on the main line after 6 p.m. on June 19. Service was not restored until the following night, causing multiple delays. Authorities have not ruled out hybrid interference as a possible motive, though no evidence currently supports this.

The case has been transferred from local police to the National Bureau of Investigations (KRP) due to uncertainty over the motives. The crime is being treated as aggravated vandalism.

Police are seeking witnesses who may have been in the area of Terä tie and Keijärventie in Ylöjärvi at the time, either in vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot. These individuals are not considered suspects.

A second incident under KRP investigation involved telecom cables cut in Helsinki’s Malmi district on the morning of June 19, causing local disruptions. The act is classified as aggravated vandalism and aggravated disruption of telecommunications. Authorities are particularly interested in anyone who may have been near Takoraudantie around 9 a.m. that day.

In both cases, the KRP is requesting public tips to assist the investigation.