Modern Mysteries

Wreck of missing Argentine sub discovered

By T.K. Randall
November 17, 2018 ·  2 comments

The ARA San Juan at Mar del Plata in 2007. Image Credit: CC BY 2.5 Martin Otero The submarine had been on its way to Ushuaia near South America's southernmost tip when it was forced to surface due to an 'electrical breakdown'.

The vessel was ordered to abandon its mission and return to base immediately, however not long afterwards all contact was lost. The last communication received was at 07:30 on November 15th.

According to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation, an unexplained noise or 'hydro-acoustic anomaly' had been picked up a few hours after the sub's last contact.

It is believed that this may have been the sound of the submarine imploding.Now, twelve months after the ARA San Juan's disappearance, the wreckage of the vessel has been discovered by a US company around 270 miles off the Argentine coast at a depth of 2,620ft.

The relatives of the vessel's 44 crewmembers gathered earlier this week in remembrance.

An investigation in to exactly what caused the submarine's demise remains ongoing.

#ARASanJuan #LaBúsquedaContinúa Actualización: La empresa informó nuevo punto de interés en el Sitio 1 área 15A-4, a 800 mts de profundidad. El punto de interés tiene una dimensión de 60 mts de longitud. Hora de arribo al área para iniciar investigación 19:00 hs aproximadamente. pic.twitter.com/l5k8p8Zjye

— Armada Argentina (@Armada_Arg) November 16, 2018

Source: BBC News | Comments (2)

Tags: ARA San Juan, Submarine