A portion of the subsea cable linking the Orkney Islands has suffered a break.

As reported by the BBC, ISPreview, and others, the BT-operated cable suffered a “major” break between Evie and Westray. The cause of the break has not been shared.

According to a post from the Orkney Islands Council, hundreds of residents have been left without Internet access for several days. BT is reportedly working to secure a cable ship for repairs.

“A BT response team is due to arrive in Orkney tonight to support interim recovery, with essential services being prioritized,” the council said.

Some 500 people on the North Isles (Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Westray) have seen fiber and some mobile connectivity services (including Vodafone Three and Virgin Media O2) disrupted. The council report no issues with PSTN phone lines and 999 services.

BT is said to be considering the potential deployment of a temporary radio (microwave) link between Westray and Sanday to restore some connectivity.

Last year the Shefa-2 cable linking the Orkney, Shetland, and the Faroe Islands to the Scottish mainland were disrupted after the cable was damaged.