Finnish law enforcement officers believe that the ship Newnew Polar Bear, flying the Hong Kong flag, was involved in the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline. This is stated in a statement by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, published October 24.
The head of the investigation, senior detective Risto Lohi, said that a trace between 1.5 m and 4 m wide was found on the seabed, leading to the site of the damage to the gas pipeline. And at a distance of several meters from the site of the damage, law enforcement officers found an anchor, which, as expected, left a mark on the sand.
According to Lohi, on the morning of October 24, the anchor was raised to the surface. Marks on it indicate that it was in contact with a gas pipeline.
The Finnish police added that from the place where the anchor was found, a narrow drag mark was visible, the size of which coincided with the part connecting the anchor to the chain.
“These observations, combined with analyzed vessel traffic data, confirmed the main line of investigation into the role of the Chinese shipping company’s Newnew Polar Bear, which flies Hong Kong, in the incident,” the report said.
Investigators also could not confirm that both of the Newnew Polar Bear’s front anchors were in place after the incident. This helped focus suspicion on this particular vessel.
According to Lohi, the Finnish side contacted the Newnew Polar Bear several times, but the ship’s administration did not want to cooperate. Investigators could not forcibly board the ship, since the ship was located in the free economic zone of Finland.
The senior detective also said that Finland has contacted the Chinese authorities to continue the investigation. However, it is not yet clear whether the damage was intentional, due to negligence or faulty machinery.
Context:
Finnish state gas company Gasgrid Finland and Estonian gas operator Elering noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector gas pipeline between the two countries on the night of October 8. In connection with the accident, the operators of the Estonian and Finnish systems cut off the gas supply, and the Finnish authorities began an investigation.
Finnish edition Evening newspaperciting sources, suggested that the aggressor country of the Russian Federation was probably involved in the possible sabotage of the Balticconnector.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo noted at a press conference on October 10 that the damage, tentatively, “could not have occurred as a result of normal operation or pressure fluctuations.” In all likelihood, the damage is “the result of external activity,” Orpo said.
A probable explosion near the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was recorded by seismologists at 1.20 on October 8.
2023-10-26 20:02:41
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