53 seamen are on board the military submarine missing off Bali. The search continues, but is becoming increasingly futile because of the limited oxygen reserves on board. In addition to the USA, Australia is now also involved. During the course of Saturday, the rescue ship MV Swift Rescue of the Singapore Navy was also expected to take part in the action off the coast of Bali, said Djawara Whimbo, spokesman for the Indonesian armed forces.
According to calculations by the Indonesian Navy, the oxygen reserves on board the submarine KRI Nanggala-402, which has been missing with a crew of 53 since Wednesday, only lasted until Saturday morning.
600 to 700 meters under water
The Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat joined the search operation off Bali on Saturday. A Poseidon P-8, an aircraft specially equipped for submarine hunting, took part on the American side. In the course of the day, according to Indonesian information, ships from Malaysia and India were also expected to help with the search.
The almost 60 meter long submarine lost contact early Wednesday morning during an exercise. At the time it was about 95 kilometers north of Bali.
According to the Navy, the “KRI Nanggala-402” is probably 600 to 700 meters under water. The ship built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel at the end of the 1970s is only designed to dive to a depth of 250 to 500 meters. (SDA / euc)