US sailors injured in South China Sea collision
USS Connecticut sailors were injured in a submarine collision with an unknown object in the South China Sea. p>
USS Connecticut. Photo: USA Navy.
The collision of a US nuclear submarine with an unknown object in the South China Sea resulted in two sailors being injured moderately and nine years, according to the US Navy; lung. But as Sky News notes, an official statement from Navy officials emphasizes that none of the injuries the military has suffered are life-threatening.
According to officials, a US nuclear submarine crashed into an unknown object in the South China Sea, as a result of which 11 sailors suffered mostly minor injuries.
The Connecticut submarine is in “ safe and stable condition & # 39; & # 39; after the incident of October 2, the US Pacific Fleet stated in a statement. The Seawolf-class attack submarine is nuclear, but Navy officials say its propulsion system is intact and “ fully functional & # 39; & # 39 ;.
Two US Navy officials, who spoke anonymously with the AP news agency, said it was not clear. what submarine object did the submarine collide with, but it was not another submarine.
One source suggested that it could be a sunken ship, container or other unknown object.
The exact location of the collision was not specified in an official statement by the Pacific Fleet, which stated that it occurred during immersion in the “ international waters of the Indo-Pacific“.
“ Crew safety remains a top priority for the Navy. No life threatening injuries, & ndash; stated in the fleet statement. & ndash; The extent of damage caused to the rest of the sub-part is estimated. The US Navy did not ask for help. The incident will be investigated. & # 39; & # 39;
Navy officials said two sailors were moderately injured and nine & ndash; minor injuries, including bruises and scratches. They said that after the incident, the submarine headed for the port on the island of Guam & nbsp; and that this was not previously announced to ensure operational safety.
According to CNN, the incident with a US submarine occurred amid sharply increased tensions in US-China relations as a result of the Chinese military's incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
The Connecticut nuclear submarine was in the waters of the South China Sea because the Americans and their allies staged a large multinational power show involving the United States, Britain, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
On Saturday, 39 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and transport aircraft, entered the Taiwan Air Defense Zone, causing the Taiwanese Air Force to launch jets and deploy anti-aircraft missiles. Two days later, China sent 56 aircraft to Taiwan's air defense zone within 24 hours – the highest number since the island began publicly reporting such numbers last year.
“We are very concerned about China's provocative military activities near Taiwan,” & ndash; US Secretary of State Tony Blinken told reporters at a press conference in Paris on Wednesday when asked about China's action. & ndash; As we have said, this activity is destabilizing. This carries the risk of miscalculation and can undermine regional peace and stability. We therefore urge Beijing to end its military, diplomatic, economic and anti-Taiwan pressures. “Meanwhile, Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Go-cheng said China may be ready to launch a” comprehensive ” # 39; & # 39 ;; invasion of the island by 2025 with the proviso that they “ currently have the opportunity“ to attack, but will have to “ pay the price & # 39; & # 39 ;.