A major disruption of undersea internet cables in the Red Sea has slowed connections across Asia the Middle East and Africa. Experts believe commercial shipping activity caused the damage highlighting how fragile global internet systems remain. Several nations including India Pakistan and the UAE were affected.
What Happened
Experts confirmed that multiple submarine cables in the Red Sea were damaged likely due to a commercial ship dragging its anchor. These cables are essential for data flow between Asia Europe and the Middle East. The incident has raised concerns about the security and stability of international internet networks.
Cables Impacted
The affected systems include South East Asia Middle East Western Europe 4 India Middle East Western Europe FALCON GCX and Europe India Gateway. These cables handle massive amounts of global data including banking services cloud storage and streaming platforms.
Countries Affected
Internet traffic was rerouted to backup routes but millions of users still experienced lag and slow browsing. At least ten countries felt the impact including India Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Providers reported partial service loss but no country went completely offline.
Why It Matters
Undersea internet cables carry nearly 95 percent of intercontinental data. They are faster and more reliable than satellites making them the backbone of global communication. Disruptions like these can affect businesses banking systems and governments worldwide.
Risks to Cables
The International Cable Protection Committee notes that almost 80 percent of cable damage is caused by human activities such as shipping anchors and fishing. The rest comes from natural hazards. Shallow waters in the Red Sea make cables more vulnerable to accidents.
Security Concerns in the Red Sea
The Red Sea remains a tense region due to ongoing conflicts and shipping attacks. Authorities have warned of possible threats to undersea infrastructure though rebel groups in Yemen deny involvement. The incident underscores how global connectivity can be disrupted by instability in critical regions.
