More 5G targets torched overnight

More assets within the telecommunications infrastructure went up in flames in Limassol overnight, with a police representative saying a worrying trend is taking place in a number of European countries.

According to police, a telecommunications station and a cell phone antenna went up in flames in Limassol district in the very early morning hours on Wednesday.

Local media reported that a fire broke out at a telecommunications station in Palodia around 1:20am, with the flames going out before fire fighters could arrive at the scene.

A second fire broke out around 3:45am in the Limassol National Forest Park, where a cell phone antenna near a local athletic centre went up in flames, along the Limassol-Troodos road.

The Cyprus News Agency said fire fighters who contained the fire later determined the incident was arson, with both incidents described as having malicious intent.

Limassol saw several incidents over the last few months where mobile phone antennas were targeted by arsonists.

The Palodia attack was the second recorded at the same location, while a police representative said law enforcement agents would step up patrols in the area.

The official, who spoke on state radio Wednesday morning, said the trend of destroying and burning antennas, which are often thought to be associated with an anti-5G technology craze, was a worrying and trend that had emerged in other countries in Europe as well.

Officials said in many cases, targets in arson incidents involve devices that does not support 5G technology.