Australian Optus Disturbed, 3 People Died Because They Can't Make Emergency Calls

JAKARTA - Three people in Australia reportedly died because they could not make an emergency call because the disturbance occurred to Optus, the country's second-largest telecommunications provider.

CEO Stephen Rug said the failure of the daruat call occurred during network upgrades on Thursday, potentially impacting 600 customers in the states of South Australia and Western Australia, as well as in North Territory.

Officers found three people died in the house trying to make a three-zero emergency call ("000).

"I would like to express my sincere apologies to all customers who cannot be connected to emergency services when they desperately need them," Rue said on Friday, September 19.

"I express my sincere and wholeheartedly condolences to the family and friends of the people who have died. I am sorry for your loss. What has happened is completely unacceptable. We have disappointed you," he continued.

When asked how long the failure lasted, Rue said it was still being investigated.

Optus, which is owned by Singapore Telecommunications, has fixed the disturbance. A thorough investigation was carried out and the results will be announced.

The incident came less than a year after Optus was fined A$12 million ($7.9 million) by regulators for failing to provide emergency call services to thousands of people during the national blackout in 2023.