Four 5G Phone Masts Burned Following ‘Fake News’ That It’s Linked To Coronavirus

ARSONISTS have torched more 5G phone masts following ‘fake news’ that the technology is linked to coronavirus.

As reported exclusively on Sun Online, conspiracy theorists have been setting blazes and targeting engineers over claims 5G ‘radiation’ caused COVID-19 to spread.

The theory originated last month after a video filmed at a US health conference claimed Africa was not as affected by the disease because it is “not a 5G region”.

Vandals then set masts in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Merseyside on fire.

Now a spokesperson from Vodafone says there have been four further incidents at their sites, as well as a site shared with 02.

And Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced he plans to hold virtual meetings with several tech firms next week.

‘COMPLETE AND UTTER RUBBISH’

A spokesperson from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport said: “We have received several reports of criminal damage to phone masts and abuse of telecoms engineers apparently inspired by crackpot conspiracy theories circulating online.

“Those responsible for criminal acts will face the full force of the law.

“We must also see social media companies acting responsibly and taking much swifter action to stop nonsense from spreading on their platforms, which encourages such acts.”

Earlier this week, senior minister Michael Gove has slammed the conspiracy theory as “dangerous nonsense” at a press conference this week.

Mr Gove claimed it was vitally important people were “knocking down this rubbish“, and warned spreading it put lives at risk.

He said: “The stories that have gone about that they spread the disease that’s just nonsense, dangerous nonsense as well.”

His fury was echoed by National Medical Director of NHS England Stephen Powis.

He said: “[It’s] complete and utter rubbish and the worst kind of fake news.

“The reality is that mobile phone networks are absolutely critical to all of us particularly at a time we are asking everybody to stay home.

“I am absolutely disgusted that people would be taking action against the very infrastructure we need to respond to this health emergency.

“It is absolute and utter rubbish and I cannot condemn it in stronger terms than that.”

It comes after conspiracy nuts were reportedly setting phone masts alight and targeting engineers over a bizarre claim 5G “radiation” caused the deadly coronavirus spread.

The theory originated last month after a video filmed at a US health conference claimed Africa was not as affected by the disease because it is “not a 5G region”.

It was quickly debunked after the World Health Organisation confirmed there were thousands of COVID-19 cases in Africa.

The government has also confirmed there is “no evidence to suggest that 5G has anything to do with COVID-19″.

Celebs have been slammed for sharing the conspiracy theory, including Jason Gardiner and Callum Best, who posted similar claims that 5G can impact the immune system.

Boxer Amir Khan also released a series of bizarre videos where he blames the coronavirus on the building of “5G towers”.

In the clips, Khan admits to “watching a lot of videos and stuff” and says that the new tech could “make things bad”.

Just days ago Khan offered the NHS the use of his four-story wedding venue to help treat patients during the pandemic.

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