Search for missing Indonesian submarine and its crew of 53 enters its second day

A search for an Indonesian submarine that went missing with 53 people on board continued after rescuers found an oil spill near where the vessel dived and as neighboring countries pledged to help. The 44-year-old submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, was conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of the island of Bali on Wednesday but failed to relay the results as expected, a navy spokesman said.

An aerial search found an oil spill near the submarine’s dive location and two navy vessels with sonar capability have been deployed to assist in the search, the Defence Ministry said. A ministry statement said requests for assistance had been sent and Australia, Singapore and India had responded.

The Indonesian Navy said in a statement: “It is possible that during static diving, a blackout occurred so control was lost and emergency procedures cannot be carried out and the ship falls to a depth of 600-700 meters.”

The submarine was built to sustain pressure at a maximum depth of around 250 meters (820 feet), an official said.