A suspected act of sabotage against Gotland‘s water supply is under investigation by Swedish authorities. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was confirmed by both the police and the Swedish Security Service (Säpo).
The Incident
On Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m., Region Gotland’s water and sewage unit received an alarm indicating a fault in a water pump at one of the island’s water sources. When technicians arrived, they discovered that an electrical cabinet had been tampered with. Someone had opened the cabinet, pulled out a cable, and cut off the power to the raw water pumps. By 9:30 p.m., the technician managed to restore the pump’s function, preventing any disruption to the island’s water supply. The potential consequences of this sabotage could have been severe. According to sources, if the issue had not been identified in time, the entire island of Gotland might have been left without water.
Ongoing Investigation
The area around the electrical cabinet has been cordoned off as technicians and investigators assess the situation. No suspects have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. The case is officially classified as sabotage. Säpo has acknowledged the incident, with spokesperson Johan Wikström confirming that they are aware of what happened. While the motives behind the sabotage remain unclear, the involvement of Säpo suggests potential national security implications.
Impact on Gotland
The sabotage targeted raw water pumps drawing from a lake, according to Susanne Bjergegaard-Pettersson, head of water and sewage at Region Gotland. She refrained from revealing specific details for security reasons but confirmed that the pumps supply a significant portion of Gotland’s water. Local resident Göran Melander, who lives in Tingstäde, confirmed that the incident occurred at the facility sourcing water from the Tingstäde swamp in northern Gotland.
Swift Response Prevents Crisis
Patrik Johansson, unit manager at Region Gotland’s water and sewage department, stated that human interference was evident. However, he reassured Gotland residents that the sabotage had no impact on the water supply. “We have the opportunity to rearrange production, take water from other sources, and start additional raw water pumps,” Johansson explained. The facility has since returned to normal operation, and authorities continue their investigation to identify those responsible.
A Growing Concern
Incidents targeting critical infrastructure have raised concerns across Europe in recent years. Sweden, like many other nations, is increasingly vigilant about potential threats to essential services. This latest incident on Gotland underscores the importance of safeguarding vital systems and highlights the resilience of local emergency responses.
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