A fast-track submarine of the United States collided with an object in the Indo-Pacific international waters, according to media reports citing the US Navy. There is not enough clarity on the nature of the object so far.
However, a short statement from the United States Navy on Thursday clarified that no life-threatening injuries have been sustained by the submarine’s crew and that the vessel was still fully operational.
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The statement from the United States Pacific Fleet said that the USS Connecticut continued to be in a “safe and stable condition” and that the Seawolf-class vessel’s nuclear propulsion plant was not impacted by the collision, according to reports from Associated Press.
The statement said that incident is will be investigated by the authorities and said that the extent of damage sustained by the remainder of the submarine is being probed. However, the Navy did not give any specific location of the collision and did not reveal the current whereabouts of the USS Connecticut submarine.
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USNI News, in a report that quoted a United States defense official, said that about11 sailors were hurt in the incident and had only suffered minor to moderate injuries. The report also added that the vessel was in the South China Sea at the time of the collision.
The defense official also revealed that the USS Connecticut was now on the surface and has been making its way to Guam.
Captian Bill Clinton said, “The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational”, according to reports from USNI News.
He added, “The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The US Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated.”