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5G Masts Set On Fire Amid Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories

5G Masts Set On Fire Amid Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories

The UK government has also said there is ‘no evidence to suggest that 5G has anything to do with Covid-19'

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

5G masts have been set on fire following a conspiracy theory that radiation has had something to do with the global spread of the novel coronavirus.

The rumour began after people started claiming that Africa hasn't been as affected by Covid-19 as it is not a 5G region - but the World Health Organisation has since shut this down when it stated the continent has several thousands of confirmed cases.

The UK government has also said there is 'no evidence to suggest that 5G has anything to do with Covid-19'.

Despite that, however, it seems some people remain convinced that there is a link, with such messages being spread via social media - including a Stop 5G Facebook group, where some users have encouraged others to target 5G towers and engineers.

SnapperSK

"It is time to act now," one post read.

"Any 5g tower in your area burn it down! Collect people and stand and fight this. Act now before it's too late!"

SnapperSK

According to The Sun, the group has now been forced to warn users not to attack engineers, with a post at the top of the site warning: "We have been notified by certain members of the public that some individuals in this group have decided to target telecoms workers, as they believe and claim them to be 'criminals and genocidists'.

"You know who you are. If you continue to conduct yourselves like this you will be banned from this group."

SnapperSK

Last night, emergency services were called to fire in Birmingham after a 70ft mast broke into flames.

West Midlands Fire Service confirmed eight firefighters attended an incident on Thursday evening involving a 70ft tower on a telecommunications site in the city, but said the cause is yet to be identified.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We're aware of a fire involving a phone mast, but are awaiting further details on its cause."

Mobile UK - the trade body which represents network providers including EE, 02, Three and Vodafone - said it is 'concerning that certain groups are using the Covid-19 pandemic to spread false rumours and theories about the safety of 5G technologies'.

SnapperSK

"More worryingly some people are also abusing our key workers and making threats to damage infrastructure under the pretence of claims about 5G," a statement said.

"This is not acceptable and only impacts on our ability as an industry to maintain the resilience and operational capacity of the networks to support mass home working and critical connectivity to the emergency services, vulnerable consumers and hospitals."

Featured Image Credit: SnapperSK

Topics: uk news, News, Coronavirus, Technology