Search on for missing sub with 53 aboard
Indonesia’s military said it was searching for a submarine with 53 crew aboard after losing contact with the vessel during naval exercises off the coast of Bali yesterday.
Indonesia’s military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said the navy had dispatched warships off the northern coast of the island to search for it, and that neighbours Singapore and Australia had been asked for help.
He added there were 53 crew aboard the vessel, which was believed to be in waters about 700 metres deep.
First Admiral Julius Widjojono said they lost contact with the 43-year-old German-built submarine early yesterday morning.
“We know the area but it’s quite deep,” he said.
The vessel was reportedly to conduct live-fire torpedo exercises before contact was lost.
The 1,300-tonne KRI Nanggala was built in 1978, according to a government website. Indonesia, which has been moving to upgrade its military in recent years, has five German and South Koreanbuilt submarines in its fleet.