US Nuclear Submarine Collides with Unknown Object in South China Sea
According to the United States Navy, an American nuclear submarine has collided with an unknown object in international waters. The incident occurred approximately one week ago, and the Navy states that the submarine’s condition is “safe and stable.”
The US Navy announced in a statement that the nuclear submarine USS Connecticut collided with an unknown object in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region near the South China Sea.
Spiegel Online reported on Friday, October 8, citing the statement, that the incident occurred six days earlier but the news was kept confidential until now to avoid jeopardizing the submarine’s mission.
According to the report, the American submarine was damaged in the incident; however, its overall condition is safe and stable, and there have been no issues with its nuclear-powered engine.
Based on a US Navy statement from October 7, the submarine USS Connecticut is en route to a US base on the coast of Guam Island in the Pacific Ocean, and an investigation into the cause of the incident and potential damage assessment has begun.
More than 10 Injured on American Submarine
No official report has been released so far regarding the condition of the submarine’s crew. The French News Agency, citing the news website USNI, states that more than 10 submarine crew members have been slightly or moderately injured.
The website has reported that the American nuclear submarine was involved in an accident while operating in the South China Sea waters. Various speculations about the cause of the incident have been raised, including collision with a sunken ship.
Recently, tensions between Beijing and Western countries in the South China Sea region have escalated. The United States has expressed dissatisfaction with repeated flights of Chinese fighter jets over the sea and violations of Taiwan’s airspace, while Beijing calls joint naval exercises between US and allied forces in the region provocative.
Source: DW
