Submarine dramaThe US Air Force is sending a number of teams to help Indonesia search for a lost submarine with 53 sailors on board. Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that the authorities were doing everything they could to locate the submarine. It is a race against time. The Navy captain expects the crew to run out of oxygen around 3 am the next night. “We will intensify our efforts until 3 am this morning,” said Major General Ahmed Riad.
The US Department of Defense is “saddened” by the news that the submarine disappeared from the radar on Wednesday during a maneuver off the coast of Bali. “Our thoughts are with the Indonesian sailors and their families,” a Pentagon spokesman said.
“At the invitation of the Indonesian government, we are sending air forces to help search for the missing submarine,” the spokesman said. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak with his Indonesian counterpart Prabhu Subianto on Friday to show his support and discuss how the United States can provide more assistance.
The spilled oil was found where the submarine went to dive points to potentially damage the fuel tank and increased fears of a fatal submarine disaster.
Indonesia is already receiving support from Malaysia and Singapore, which have sent ships. France, Germany and Australia also offered to help. Indonesia converted a helicopter and six ships to find the German-made KRI Nanggala-402.
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