Home » The search for the missing submarine in Indonesia, the oxygen reserves for the 53 sailors are running out

The search for the missing submarine in Indonesia, the oxygen reserves for the 53 sailors are running out

by admin

The search for the Indonesian Navy submarine Kri Nanggala-402 that disappeared Wednesday with 53 people on board, while sailing in the waters north of the island of Bali, is a race against time. The world accelerates to try to save the sailors: according to the authorities, the oxygen available on board could run out by today.

The rescue
The area, off the island of the Indonesian archipelago where traces of the submarine have been lost, is covered for about 10 nautical miles (about thirty square kilometers) by dozens of ships and aircraft. An Australian Navy ship and a US maritime patrol aircraft also joined the operations. The frigate Hmas Ballarat and the Boeing P-8 Poseidon arrived in Indonesia today. Armed forces spokesman Djawara Whimbo added that a naval rescue unit from Singapore should also arrive in the next few hours. India and Malaysia also send ships to them. “There has been no progress,” said Navy spokesman Julius Widjojono. “We’re still scouring the area.”

A signal from an unidentified object
The hope rescuers cling to is a signal from an unidentified object. All that has been detected so far is an object with a “strong magnetic field” at a depth of between 50 and 100 meters. It could be Kri Nanggala 402, which disappeared from the radar on the 21st morning immediately after asking permission to dive, to carry out an exercise.

The unknowns
However, there are two unknowns: the first concerns the almost finished oxygen reserves. The second is the diesel spill detected near the submarine’s last reported position. According to experts it could indicate a hull break. In this case, the spaces for the 53 sailors on board would be even more limited. Not only. Damage to the equipment could cause increased carbon dioxide. “We have very little time, we are maximizing all our efforts,” explained Indonesian military spokesman Achmad Riad.

See also  Cinisi remembers Peppino Impastato, the concert with Roy Paci: that's when

The Indonesian navy had claimed early on that the submarine could have sunk at a depth much greater than that of the body identified in the research, ie between 600 and 700 meters. Experts and analysts are debating what could have happened to the submarine if it really was exposed to 60-70 bar, the pressure underwater at such a depth. Frank Owen, secretary of the institute that does research on submarine activities, the Submarine Institute of Australia, said that at 500 meters deep the submarine could be safely recovered, but has no definite answers if it found at 700 meters, well beyond the 200 meter limit for which it is tested, perhaps it could even implode. Owen then explained that even if he were intact at such a depth it would be very difficult to rescue him. The rescue systems, in fact, could even reach it, but then they would not be able to operate to get the crew out of the submarine.

Disappeared during an exercise
The KRI Nanggala 402 is one of five Indonesian Navy submarines, built in Germany in 1977. On Wednesday it was conducting a torpedo drill about 60 miles off the north coast of Bali when the communication went down and the results of the drill were not. received. It was made in Germany and joined the Indonesian fleet in 1981. Subjected to an overhaul in South Korea in 2012, it was considered to be in good condition.

The story of the wife of submariner Guntur Ari Prasetyo
These are hours of anguish for the families of the captive sailors. “Our last communication was on Monday, when he told me he was leaving for work,” said the wife of submariner Guntur Ari Prasetyo, 39, who lives on the island of Java. “He asked me to pray for his return home as soon as possible and told our daughter to listen to me and study.”

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy