Enlarge image
The »USS Connecticut« on an earlier mission in 2016
Photo: Thiep Van Nguyen II / AP
A good month after the collision of a nuclear submarine in the South China Sea, the US Navy dismissed three officers in charge.
This is reported by several media outlets, including the Washington Times and the Navy Times.
The "USS Connecticut" had collided with a sea rise underwater, and several sailors were injured.
According to the Navy, those responsible could have prevented the collision.
The "USS Connecticut" had to appear in the South China Sea at the beginning of October after the collision.
According to the Navy, the submarine's nuclear drive was not damaged.
It is still "fully operational".
None of the sailors was critically injured, but 15 were injured.
Secrecy for reasons of "operational security"
On the surface, the nuclear submarine had to make its way to the US naval base in Guam in the western Pacific.
The submarine is currently being examined more closely there.
It is then supposed to continue to the USA, where it will be repaired.
For reasons of "operational security" the Navy did not want to say how deep the clash occurred.
"Extremely Concerned"
The incident occurred at a time of mounting tension between the US and Taiwan on the one hand and China on the other.
Taiwan accuses the People's Republic of provoking border violations during military maneuvers.
Conversely, China now demanded a "detailed investigation" from the USA after the incident.
Beijing was "extremely concerned" about the incident, said Chinese Foreign Office spokesman Zhao Lijian.
He accused the US of deliberately concealing the nature of the incident.
Beijing expects information from the government in Washington about whether nuclear energy has been released and whether the underwater world has been harmed, said Zhao.
He accused the US of disturbing the peace in the South China Sea under "the banner of free navigation" for a long time.
mrc
