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Sweden widens 'mystery sub' hunt off Stockholm waters Sweden steps up 'mystery sub' hunt off Stockholm waters
(34 minutes later)
The Swedish navy has widened its search in the waters off Stockholm amid suspicions that a Russian submarine might be in trouble there. The Swedish navy has stepped up its search in the waters off Stockholm amid suspicions that a Russian submarine might be in trouble there.
The military has asked civilian vessels to evacuate the area between Nattaro island and Danziger Gatt.The military has asked civilian vessels to evacuate the area between Nattaro island and Danziger Gatt.
A Swedish source told the BBC an underwater vessel was spotted in waters about 25km (16 miles) from Stockholm.A Swedish source told the BBC an underwater vessel was spotted in waters about 25km (16 miles) from Stockholm.
Russia's defence ministry denied any "irregular situation" involving its ships.Russia's defence ministry denied any "irregular situation" involving its ships.
It said a Dutch submarine might have triggered Sweden's alert after carrying out exercises in the area.It said a Dutch submarine might have triggered Sweden's alert after carrying out exercises in the area.
However, this theory has been dismissed by the Dutch defence ministry.However, this theory has been dismissed by the Dutch defence ministry.
"It was definitely not a Dutch submarine," a ministry spokeswoman in The Hague told the BBC."It was definitely not a Dutch submarine," a ministry spokeswoman in The Hague told the BBC.
'Pattern of incidents''Pattern of incidents'
It is the fourth day of the search, involving ships and helicopters.It is the fourth day of the search, involving ships and helicopters.
The Swedish military earlier said it was investigating three credible sightings of "foreign underwater activity". It denied looking for a submarine, and said that it was conducting an intelligence operation.The Swedish military earlier said it was investigating three credible sightings of "foreign underwater activity". It denied looking for a submarine, and said that it was conducting an intelligence operation.
It also released a grainy photograph showing an object in the sea near Stockholm, although it was not clear what the object was.It also released a grainy photograph showing an object in the sea near Stockholm, although it was not clear what the object was.
The Swedish navy has asked all vessels to go no closer than 1km to military vessels.The Swedish navy has asked all vessels to go no closer than 1km to military vessels.
A Swedish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC that air space around the search area had been closed off.A Swedish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC that air space around the search area had been closed off.
He said he doubted the incident could have been a navigating error, as the Stockholm archipelago is a difficult area to navigate.He said he doubted the incident could have been a navigating error, as the Stockholm archipelago is a difficult area to navigate.
When asked why an underwater vessel would have entered waters off Sweden, the official said: "It's always about testing the Swedish response to see if we are awake and able to detect it... it's a way of testing our skills in detecting and locating."When asked why an underwater vessel would have entered waters off Sweden, the official said: "It's always about testing the Swedish response to see if we are awake and able to detect it... it's a way of testing our skills in detecting and locating."
Sweden was keeping an open mind about which country was behind the incident, the official said, adding that there had been a similar pattern of incidents in the past.Sweden was keeping an open mind about which country was behind the incident, the official said, adding that there had been a similar pattern of incidents in the past.
Soviet submarine sightings during the Cold War caused security alerts in Sweden in the 1980s.Soviet submarine sightings during the Cold War caused security alerts in Sweden in the 1980s.
Swedish radio says the search area has expanded to include more islands out into the Baltic, further away from Stockholm.Swedish radio says the search area has expanded to include more islands out into the Baltic, further away from Stockholm.
Swedish news website The Local says vessels and troops have been deployed from Moeja, north of Stockholm, to Ornoe, south of the capital, using sensors in an operation "continuing day and night".Swedish news website The Local says vessels and troops have been deployed from Moeja, north of Stockholm, to Ornoe, south of the capital, using sensors in an operation "continuing day and night".
A local newspaper said Sweden had intercepted a distress signal in Russian.A local newspaper said Sweden had intercepted a distress signal in Russian.
It is reported to be Sweden's biggest military mobilisation since the Cold War, the BBC's World Affairs Correspondent Richard Galpin reports.It is reported to be Sweden's biggest military mobilisation since the Cold War, the BBC's World Affairs Correspondent Richard Galpin reports.
Whatever is lurking under the waters of the Stockholm archipelago, it is raising tensions in what is already a nervous region after Russian troops moved into parts of Ukraine earlier this year, our correspondent adds.Whatever is lurking under the waters of the Stockholm archipelago, it is raising tensions in what is already a nervous region after Russian troops moved into parts of Ukraine earlier this year, our correspondent adds.
Russia has several submarines based in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave bordered by Poland and Lithuania and facing out to Sweden, as well as a much bigger force near Murmansk on the Kola Peninsula.Russia has several submarines based in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave bordered by Poland and Lithuania and facing out to Sweden, as well as a much bigger force near Murmansk on the Kola Peninsula.
Last month, another Swedish newspaper, Expressen, reported an incursion by two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 fighter bombers into national airspace. Sweden scrambled jets to see them off, it said.Last month, another Swedish newspaper, Expressen, reported an incursion by two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 fighter bombers into national airspace. Sweden scrambled jets to see them off, it said.