Dutch police are currently investigating a wave of arson attacks in the country - which are believed to involve targeting the growing 5G network - having released a video of one person pouring flammable liquid over an antenna before setting it on fire.
Dutch police have not confirmed the motive behind the 13 arson attacks on 5G towers that have taken place since 3 April, with a national police spokesman saying: "It is far too early to say what the reason is. We are busy figuring out who is behind it."
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However, they confirmed they are looking into the prospect of the incidents being linked to fears that the 5G network was in some way linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Some conspiracy theorists think the 5G network has been weakening the human immune system, leaving it susceptible to the novel coronavirus, claiming Wuhan - where the virus broke out - had switched on its 5G network at the same time Covid-19 took hold of the city.
Such theories have been widely dismissed, with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection announcing it has found no evidence to suggest 5G poses a risk to human health.
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What's more, none of the masts attacked so far have actually been offering 5G.
A spokesman for Dutch telecommunications company KPN said: "No 5G masts have been set on fire, they are masts that offer 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity."
The incident captured on camera in Groningen shows a man - who police say is aged between 25 and 30, and driving what is believed to be a black Toyota Aygo - pouring the flammable liquid from a can over the mast and then setting it on fire.
Police have also said there have been other similar attacks in Rotterdam, Tilburg, Oudenbosch and Veldhoven, among others, saying last night alone there were two attacks on radio masts in Almere.
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Adding that all of the attacks appeared to follow the same procedure seen in the video above, police warned that the actions could have wide reaching consequences - including affecting the ability of emergency services to respond to calls.
Dutch Justice and Security Minister Ferd Grapperhaus previously referred to the arson incidence as 'an attack on our emergency services and thus our society'.
The attacks in the Netherlands follow similar incidents in the UK, where mobile networks have reported a further 20 cases of phone masts being targeted in suspected arson attacks over the Easter weekend.
Trade group Mobile UK said it had been notified of incidents in England, Wales and Scotland.
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UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has also recently sanctioned a small radio station after it featured a guest who claimed 5G caused the pandemic.
Featured Image Credit: CEN/Politie Landelijke Eenheid
Topics: World News, News, Coronavirus