Red Sea Undersea Cable Damage Disrupts Up to 25% of Global Internet Traffic

In late February 2024, critical undersea internet cables traversing the Red Sea — including AAE-1, SEACOM, TGN-EA, and EIG — sustained severe damage, leading to widespread disruption of global internet traffic. The incident affected nearly 25% of data transfers between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, underscoring the fragility of international digital infrastructure.

What Happened:

The UK-owned cargo ship MV Rubymar, struck by a Houthi rebel–launched missile on February 18, 2024, drifted and dragged its anchor, inadvertently severing multiple submarine cables in the Red Sea.

These damaged cables carry a massive volume of global data: about 90% of intercontinental internet traffic and 17% of global internet flows pass through this chokepoint.

Impact:

Internet speeds and connectivity in East Africa, South Asia, and parts of Europe declined sharply. Affected regions experienced degraded performance in cloud services, business operations, and financial systems.

Although some reports later estimated up to 70% of Europe-Asia data traffic may have been disrupted, initial assessments cited around 25%.

Business and Technical Response:

Telecom and tech operators — notably Microsoft — rerouted traffic through alternative paths while repair efforts plodded forward. However, restoration was complicated by geopolitical instability and restricted access in the Red Sea region.

Broader Significance:

The incident highlights just how vulnerable global communications are despite redundant infrastructure. With over 99% of international traffic reliant on subsea cables, any disruption poses a substantial threat to national security and economic stability.

A July 2025 report warned that such undersea infrastructure is increasingly targeted by state-backed sabotage, particularly in strategic regions like the Red Sea, Baltic Sea, and Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion:

February’s Red Sea cable damage served as a stark reminder: the internet’s backbone is both unseen and perilously exposed. Strengthening undersea infrastructure resiliency is no longer optional — it’s essential for maintaining global connectivity and economic continuity.