URGENT UPDATE: A tragic network outage by Optus has led to the deaths of three individuals, including an eight-week-old baby boy from Gawler West, South Australia. The incident occurred during an essential network upgrade on Thursday, October 12, 2023, disrupting emergency calls for approximately 600 customers across South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
The South Australia Police have confirmed that two fatalities occurred in South Australia, with the third in Western Australia. Among the victims is a 68-year-old woman from the suburb of Queenstown, Adelaide. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding each death and will prepare reports for the state coroner.
Optus Chief Executive Stephen Rue labeled the outage as “completely unacceptable” and has pledged a thorough investigation into the failure. However, Rue did not specify the duration of the outage or how long emergency calls were impacted.
In a heartfelt statement, Rue expressed,
“I want to offer a sincere apology to all customers who could not connect to emergency services when they needed them most, and I offer my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the people who passed away.”
The ramifications of this incident could be severe, with Optus facing potential fines exceeding $10 million and other legal repercussions. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and changes to prevent future occurrences.
This incident raises critical concerns about the reliability of emergency services, highlighting the devastating impact that technical failures can have on vulnerable individuals and families. As the investigation unfolds, many are left questioning the efficacy of communication networks, especially in times of crisis.
Stay tuned for updates as authorities and Optus continue to address this urgent situation.
