A commercial ship likely severed multiple undersea cables in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, reported the Associated Press.

The International Cable Protection Committee said the incident occurred in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where 15 submarine cables pass between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The damage highlights the vulnerability of global internet infrastructure.

Doug Madory of Kentik said the affected cables include South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4, India-Middle East-Western Europe, FALCON GCX and Europe India Gateway. Initial reports suggest the cut happened off Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, though local authorities have not confirmed this.

John Wrottesley, operations manager at the committee, said dragged anchors from commercial ships cause around 30 per cent of cable damage annually, resulting in roughly 60 faults. The Red Sea's shallow depths make cables more susceptible to anchor-related incidents.

Mr Madory added that the working assumption is a vessel dropped anchor and dragged it across the cables. At least 10 countries, including India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, experienced partial internet disruptions.

Internet providers typically reroute traffic through alternate paths, but this can lead to latency. Madory likened the situation to plumbing, where reduced flow limits capacity.

Cable security has become a growing concern amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. In early 2024, Yemen's exiled government claimed the Houthis planned to target undersea cables. Several were later cut, possibly by a ship damaged in an attack, though the rebels denied involvement.