Supermarkets in Belgium, Ireland, Sweden and Finland hit by freezer hack

Supermarkets across Europe suffered suspected cyberattacks overnight, with refrigeration systems at dozens of stores in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland and Estonia showing sudden temperature spikes.

Delhaize, Carrefour, Colruyt, ICA, Coop and SuperValu reported affected sites; some freezers reached around 50°C, forcing discards and temporary closures.

Suppliers say older remote controllers were accessed and set to defrost. No group has claimed responsibility. Authorities and retailers are disconnecting units from the internet and investigating links to similar attacks that hit hundreds of French stores in October.