Mahigit dose-dosenang mga US marines ang sugatan matapos bumangga sa hindi kilalang bagay ang isang nuclear submarine habang nasa malapit ng West Philippine Sea.
Nasa 15 marines ang nagtamo ng mga minor injuries at nagpapatuloy pa ang imbestigasyon sa dahilan ng collision.
Sinabi ng US Navy spokesperson, patungo na ngayon sa US territory na Guam ang Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine.
Ang insidente ay nangyari sa gitna ng tensyon sa rehiyon na labis na pinagtatalunan kasunod na rin nang incursions ng Chinese sa Taiwan’s air defence zone.
Tiniyak naman ng US Navy na hindi apektado at nananatiling fully operational ang bumangga na USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant at spaces.
“The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The U.S. Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated,” bahagi ng statement ng mula sa U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs. (with reports from Bombo Jane Buna)
