By
The Associated Press
A US nuclear submarine collided with an underwater object in the Indo-Pacific region, the Navy reported Thursday.
There were no serious injuries and the submarine was fully operational.
The Pacific Fleet explained in a brief statement that the USS Connecticut remained in a "safe and stable" condition after the incident that occurred five days ago.
The Seawolf-class submarine's nuclear propulsion system was not affected, they noted.
"The magnitude of the damage to the rest of the submarine is being evaluated," the statement explains, adding that the incident will be investigated.
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The statement did not specify the location of the incident, but two Navy officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss unannounced details, said it occurred in the South China Sea while the Connecticut was conducting routine operations.
The submarine USS Connecticut at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, on May 7, 2018.Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images
Officials said the submarine was then headed for Guam port and that the incident was not announced before Thursday to maintain operational security.
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Officials said it was not yet clear which object had struck the submarine, but that it was not another submarine.
An official said it could have been a sunken ship or container or some other unknown object.
Two sailors aboard the Connecticut suffered minor injuries and nine others suffered minor injuries such as scratches and bruises, according to officials.
All were cared for aboard the submarine.
