Taiwan probes suspected damage to Matsu subsea cable by Chinese vessel

Taipei, April 1 (CNA) A Chinese-flagged work barge is suspected of damaging a subsea telecommunications cable off Dongyin, part of the Taiwan-governed Matsu Islands, during a salvage operation, with the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) bringing the vessel's captain in for questioning, authorities said Wednesday.

The vessel, Hai Hong Gong 66, was conducting operations late on March 30 to remove a stranded Chinese fishing boat, Min Lian Yu 63896, when it allegedly caused partial damage to core wires in the Taiwan-Matsu Subsea Cable No. 3, according to the CGA's Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch.

The CGA said it received a report on March 31 from Chunghwa Telecom indicating a malfunction in the Dongyin-Beigan section of the cable, suspected to have been caused by the vessel's operations.

A patrol boat was immediately dispatched to collect evidence and board the vessel.

Authorities detained 11 crew members involved in the operation and took the captain ashore to provide a statement.

The case has been referred to the Lienchiang District Prosecutors' Office for further investigation.

According to the CGA, the fishing vessel, "Min Lian Yu 63896," had earlier suffered water ingress and was abandoned by its crew, who were rescued and returned to China.

The vessel later drifted ashore near Dongyin on March 21. Its owner subsequently commissioned Hai Hong Gong 66 to carry out removal operations starting March 30, the CGA said.

The CGA said it will continue to monitor the movements of Hai Hong Gong 66 while Chunghwa Telecom conducts underwater inspections to determine the extent and cause of the damage.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Affairs noted that only part of the cable's core wires were affected, and that normal communications had not been disrupted after traffic was rerouted.

The ministry said it has coordinated with a cable repair vessel to carry out restoration work, which will be completed in July 2026 at the earliest.