May 29, 2008
BBC News
A British nuclear submarine was damaged after hitting rocks in the Red Sea, but its reactor was not affected and none of the crew was injured, the UK's Ministry of Defence has said today [as published].
HMS Superb's sonar equipment was damaged by the collision, which happened on 26 May and forced the submarine to come to the surface, an MoD spokesman added.
According to the sources, the MoD has begun an investigation to establish the causes of the incident, which occurred in the north of the Red Sea some 128 km south of the Suez Canal. He added that "there is no environmental impact" from the collision of HMS Superb, which carries a 112-strong crew.
The submarine - in operation since 1976 - is in international waters and cannot be submerged due to the problems with the sonar equipment, so the navy is working to find a way of taking the vessel to port.
