Searchers find debris from missing Indonesian submarine: navy chief of staff

2021-04-24 10:36:00 GMT2021-04-24 18:36:00(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

An Indonesian navy ship prepares to carry out the search and rescue operation of submarine KRI Nanggala-402 which was reported lost at Tanjung Wangi Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. Indonesian searchers have found debris which are believed to be from the missing submarine in waters off Bali Island, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono said on Saturday. The condition of those aboard the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine cannot be determined, he told a press conference. The submarine, with 53 people on board, lost contact in the waters north of Bali Island during a torpedo firing exercise in the early hours of Wednesday, with its last position at about 60 miles north of the tourist Island. (Photo by Kurniawan/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian searchers have found debris which are believed to be from the missing submarine in waters off Bali Island, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono said on Saturday.

The condition of those aboard the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine cannot be determined, he told a press conference.

The submarine had suffered from cracks that caused several components to separate from it, according to the navy chief of staff.

The cracks became bigger when the submarine dove deeper amid rising water pressure, and the submarine is believed to be at the depth of between 600 to 700 meters, he added.

The Indonesian military (TNI) said on Saturday afternoon that it had raised the status of search for the missing submarine from SUBMISS to SUBSUNK and the decision came after they found some authentic evidences of debris believed to be form the KRI Nanggala-402, with one of which looks like a torpedo tube.

The debris was found about 10 km away from the search point where no other boats had passed the area.

The submarine lost contact after requesting diving permission to fire the Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) Torpedo at 03:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

The ship has 53 people aboard, namely 49 crew members, one commander, and three arsenal personnel. Enditem

An Indonesian navy ship prepares to carry out the search and rescue operation of submarine KRI Nanggala-402 which was reported lost at Tanjung Wangi Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. Indonesian searchers have found debris which are believed to be from the missing submarine in waters off Bali Island, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono said on Saturday. The condition of those aboard the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine cannot be determined, he told a press conference. The submarine, with 53 people on board, lost contact in the waters north of Bali Island during a torpedo firing exercise in the early hours of Wednesday, with its last position at about 60 miles north of the tourist Island. (Photo by Kurniawan/Xinhua)

Members of National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) prepare to carry out the search and rescue operation of submarine KRI Nanggala-402 which was reported lost at Tanjung Wangi Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. Indonesian searchers have found debris which are believed to be from the missing submarine in waters off Bali Island, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono said on Saturday. The condition of those aboard the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine cannot be determined, he told a press conference. The submarine, with 53 people on board, lost contact in the waters north of Bali Island during a torpedo firing exercise in the early hours of Wednesday, with its last position at about 60 miles north of the tourist Island. (Photo by Kurniawan/Xinhua)

Members of National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) prepare to carry out the search and rescue operation of submarine KRI Nanggala-402 which was reported lost at Tanjung Wangi Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. Indonesian searchers have found debris which are believed to be from the missing submarine in waters off Bali Island, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono said on Saturday. The condition of those aboard the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine cannot be determined, he told a press conference. The submarine, with 53 people on board, lost contact in the waters north of Bali Island during a torpedo firing exercise in the early hours of Wednesday, with its last position at about 60 miles north of the tourist Island. (Photo by Kurniawan/Xinhua)

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