Hospitals are having difficulties contacting patients and managing “critical on-call arrangements,” after a 5G mast was set on fire in west Belfast, police have said.
The fire, in the Glen Road, was reported to police at about 20:40 BST on Thursday.
It follows a recent series of arson attacks on masts, mostly in west Belfast.
The fire was put out by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).
PSNI Det Insp McAnee said latest in a series of attacks on 5G masts in the area had was having a “damaging impact on individuals, businesses and vital services”.
The officer said affected hospitals in the area were having communication problems and that members of the public, particularly those who are vulnerable, are being “left in a position where they are unable to make emergency calls or contact family”.
Police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information and said they were actively pursuing a number of lines of enquiry.
They believe there are people with knowledge that could assist us in identifying those responsible for these attacks
