Extra police officers and vehicles from across Scotland have been sent to the Shetland islands after an undersea telecommunications cable was damaged. Residents have been left without phone and internet since the early hours of Thursday due to the break in the cable connecting Shetland to mainland Scotland.
The cause of the damage has not yet been confirmed. Nicola Sturgeon said the situation is “very serious” for Shetland. The First Minister tweeted: “The Scottish Government’s resilience committee has met and is working closely with partner agencies to ensure support for those who need it, and that the cable damage can be repaired and services restored asap.”
MP for Orkney and Shetland Alastair Carmichael said it could be days before the power is restored. Superintendent David Ross, of Police Scotland, said extra police resources are being sent to the islands to ensure people across Shetland have access to emergency services until the problem is resolved and services resume.
