25 Jul 2019

Tongan police report into suspected cable 'sabotage' due this week

3:20 pm on 25 July 2019

A report from Tongan police into what's suspected to be the sabotage of the country's internet is expected this week.

A ship has arrived in Tonga to begin cable repairs

The machine used to repair the cable in Tonga Photo: Twitter/ @tongaportal

Police are staying mum on their investigation into the cutting of Tonga's internet cable in January, which caused a 12-day blackout.

On Wednesday, the director of Tonga Cable told RNZ Pacific the undersea internet line was deliberately cut by a ship dragging an anchor.

No motive is known, and a ship owner identified by the company said it was cooperating with Tongan authorities.

Police and the Police Minister have declined to comment on the investigation into the incident.

But a police spokesperson says a report is due to be handed to the police commissioner this week.

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