This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7422774.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
UK submarine hits Red Sea rocks | |
(10 minutes later) | |
A British nuclear-powered submarine has been damaged after it hit rocks in the Red Sea, defence officials say. | A British nuclear-powered submarine has been damaged after it hit rocks in the Red Sea, defence officials say. |
HMS Superb hit an underwater rock on 26 May and damage to its sonar equipment forced it to surface. | HMS Superb hit an underwater rock on 26 May and damage to its sonar equipment forced it to surface. |
No crew members were hurt and the submarine remains watertight, according to a Ministry of Defence spokesman. | No crew members were hurt and the submarine remains watertight, according to a Ministry of Defence spokesman. |
He said the submarine's nuclear reactor was "completely unaffected", but a full investigation was under way to determine the cause of the collision. | |
The 272ft attack vessel had passed through the Suez Canal and was in the northern Red Sea, 80 miles south of Suez itself, when she hit an underwater rock pinnacle. | |
'No casualties' | |
There were 112 crew on board, but no other vessel was involved. | |
The MoD said: "There were no casualties and the submarine remains watertight, is safe on the surface and able to operate under her own power." | |
There was also "no environmental impact" from the collision, he added. | |
The Navy is now trying to work out how to return the vessel to port. | |
It is currently in international waters, but is unable to dive because of the damage to its sonar equipment. | |
HMS Superb was first launched in 1976. Most recently she has been deployed to Afghanistan to provide support for troops there. |