Sweden's Prime Minister has raised the alarm after an internet cable was severed off the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea.

       Ulf Kristersson warned: "We take all information about possible damage to infrastructure in the Baltic Sea very seriously. As I said earlier, they must be seen in the light of the serious security situation that exists."

       Swedish police said they were aware of the incident and were cooperating with the relevant authorities.

       They added: "We have no detailed information to share at this time."

       According to the Coast Guard, the incident happened off the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea and a preliminary investigation has been opened by the Prosecution Authority.

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       In the past, Russia and China have been accused of sabotaging underwater internet cables in the area.

       Towards the end of January, Swedish authorities siezed a ship suspected of damaging data cable running under the Baltic Sea to Latvia.

       The Maltese-flagged Vezhen was forced to anchor outside the Swedish port of Karlskrona, as officials continued their investigations.

       Prosecutors claim the cable was damaged deliberately in an act of sabotage, although the ship's Bulgarian owners denied the allegations.

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       Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which lists the Vezhen as part of its fleet, said the ship had to drop anchor during a storm and that there was no malicious intent.

       Latvia's military reported that three ships were seen in the area where the damage occurred.

       In January, NATO launched its new Baltic Sentry mission, after several underwater cables were damaged or severed in 2024.

       NATO chief Mark Rutte said the mission would involve more patrol aircraft, warships and drones.

       While Russia was not directly singled out as a culprit in the cable damage, Rutte said Nato would step up its monitoring of Moscow's "shadow fleet"