Search underway for Indonesian navy submarine missing with 53 on board
A search is underway for an Indonesian navy submarine that has gone missing off the coast of Bali with 53 people on board.
Military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said the KRI Nanggala 402 was participating in a training exercise when it missed a scheduled reporting call.
The submarine is believed to have disappeared in waters about 60 miles (95 kilometres) north of Bali, the navy chief said.
Mr Tjahjanto said the navy has deployed ships to search the area and has asked for help from Singapore and Australia, which have submarine rescue vessels.
Local media reports said authorities believed the ship sank into a trough at a depth of 700 metres (2,300 feet).
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the submarine lost contact after being granted clearance to dive.
It said a helicopter later spotted an oil spill near the dive’s starting position.
It said the submarine was carrying 49 crew members, its commander and three gunners.
The German-built submarine, which has been in service since the early 1980s, was rehearsing for a missile-firing exercise that was to take place on Thursday.
Mr Tjahjanto and other military leaders were to attend.
Indonesia currently has a fleet of five submarines and plans to operate at least eight by 2024.
The country has faced growing challenges to its maritime claims in recent years, including numerous incidents involving Chinese vessels near the Natuna islands.