Europe on alert after supermarket freezers hit by cyber-attacks in 10 countries

Supermarket chains in at least 10 European countries have experienced cyber-attacks that have caused freezer temperatures to soar to 50C (122F), prompting EU officials to warn of a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply chain. Reported incidents include Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and Sweden.

Retailers have been forced to discard food due to the significant temperature increases. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the cyber-attacks. The EU's food and agriculture commissioner, Christophe Hansen, emphasized the seriousness of the incidents and warned of potential further disruptions. Italian authorities called a meeting with intelligence chiefs, but stated the impact was currently limited.

Belgian supermarkets were among the hardest-hit, with dozens of stores reporting refrigeration failures. Belgian federal prosecutors have launched an investigation, and a supermarket manager expressed distress over the loss of food. In Ireland, 13 SuperValu stores were affected, and Musgrave Group's spokesman stated that replenishment of chilled and frozen products was underway.

The Netherlands experienced disruption at a few corner shops. In Germany, a cyber-attack on refrigeration systems provider Danfoss caused disruption at the Rewe Büsken supermarket. Portugal's Mosqueteiros group reported cyberattacks at seven Intermarché stores.