75-Year-Old Brings Down Internet in Two Countries

Woman was scavenging for metal when she came upon fiber-optic cable
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 6, 2011 6:13 PM CDT
Updated Apr 10, 2011 5:32 PM CDT
75-Year-Old Woman Brings Down Internet in Georgia, Armenia
Insulated fiber-optic cable. Do not cut!   (Getty Images)

Say it with me: Seriously? A 75-year-old woman single-handedly brought down the internet in Georgia and neighboring Armenia for several hours on March 28. The senior citizen was apparently digging for scrap metal when she came upon the fiber-optic cable and "cut it to with a view to stealing it," Georgia's interior ministry spokesman told the AFP. She was arrested and could end up serving three years if convicted of damaging property, but "taking into account her advancing years, she has been released pending the end of the investigation and subsequent trial," said the rep.

The kicker: This has happened before. Many Georgians lost their Internet connection in 2009 when a scavenger damaged the cable during another scrap-metal search. (More Armenia stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X