Abnormal noise heard after sub’s last contact

44 crew members of the Argentine Navy’s vessel are missing for a week despite a massive search

Argentina’s navy said Wednesday it was investigating an unusual noise detected in the South Atlantic hours after it last communicated with a missing submarine, but refused to confirm whether it indicated an explosion.

The development came as the clock was ticking down on hopes of finding alive the 44 crew members now missing for a week despite a massive search of surface and seabed, amid fears their oxygen had run out.

The ARA San Juan would have had enough oxygen for its crew to survive underwater in the South Atlantic for seven days since its last contact, according to officials. At 0730 GMT Wednesday, that time had elapsed.

Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told reporters a “hydro-acoustic anomaly” was detected in the ocean almost three hours after the last communication with the vessel on November 15, 48 kilometers north of its last known position.

Asked if the noise could have been an explosion, the spokesman declined to speculate, saying only: “It has to be corroborated and looked into.”

Balbi added: “We are in a very dangerous situation, and one that is getting worse.”

Poor visibility

High seas and poor visibility in the South Atlantic have hampered the search since it began, around 320 kilometers off the Argentine coast. Waves have towered as high as six meters. The conditions have fed hopes that the vessel may be on the surface undetected.

Despite the mechanical problems it reported during its last contact last Wednesday, the crew could survive indefinitely if the sub retained the ability to rise to the surface to “snort” or replenish its air. Conditions improved Tuesday, but the forecast for Thursday is once again poor.

The 34-year-old Germanbuilt diesel-electric submarine that was refitted between 2007 and 2014 had flagged a breakdown and said it was diverting to the navy base at Mar del Plata, where most of the crew members live. It didn’t issue a distress call, however.

Reuters Mariachis — performers in traditional Mexican folk music bands — take part in a procession to celebrate the feast day of Santa Cecilia, patron of musicians, in Mexico City, Mexico, on Wednesday.

AP Elena Alfaro, the sister of submarine crew member Federico Ibanez, is comforted as she cries while waiting for news outside the naval base in Mar del Plata on Wednesday.