An Indian fishing vessel containing a crew of 13 collided with an Indian Naval submarine about 70 nautical miles near the Goa coast on Thursday evening, officials said today.
A massive search and rescue operation has been deployed by the Indian Navy containing six ships and aircraft. Eleven crew have been reportedly rescued and search is underway for two missing crews.
The statement by the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement that the vessel, Marthoma, collided with a Scorpene- class submarine about 70 nautical miles near the Goa coast.
“Search and rescue efforts for the remaining two are underway and are being coordinated with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Mumbai (MRCC). Additional assets including from the Coast Guard have been diverted to the area to augment the efforts,” the statement read.
“The cause of the incident is being investigated,” it added.
A spokesperson from the Navy has said that additional assets were being mobilized and has been diverted to the area of the incident to help with the rescue efforts.
“An Indian fishing vessel Marthoma with a crew of 13 reportedly collided with an Indian Naval unit on November 21 about 70 nm North West of Goa,” an Indian Navy spokesperson said and the news agency, PTI reported.
“Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched by the Indian Navy with six ships and aircraft. Eleven crew have been rescued so far,” he added.
What are Scorpene-Class Submarines?
These submarines are an important part of India’s naval power in the Indian Ocean. These submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions, including anti- surface warfare, anti- submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance.
The Scorpene-class submarines leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional stealth capabilities. These include advanced noise reduction systems, minimized radiated noise, a hydrodynamically optimized design, and the capacity to launch precise, powerful strikes with guided weapons, ensuring a significant tactical advantage in combat.
The submarine is capable of launching attacks using both torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whether submerged or on the surface.
