What caused the Indonesian submarine to break apart at extreme depths?

Question

Accepted Answer

Indonesian Submarine KRI Nanggala 402 Broke Apart Due to Extreme Water Pressure

The Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala 402 is believed to have broken apart due to immense water pressure after sinking to depths exceeding 800 metres off the coast of Bali. This depth surpassed the vessel's designed structural limits, leading to its catastrophic failure.
Submarine Crushed by Depths Below Its Design Specifications

Navy chief Yudo Margono indicated that the KRI Nanggala 402 likely came apart as it was crushed by water pressure at depths of more than 800 metres (2,600 feet). This depth was significantly greater than what the submarine was engineered to withstand, suggesting a structural collapse under the immense force of the ocean. The vessel was delivered to Indonesia in 1981, indicating it was a decades-old submarine.
Potential Blackout Led to Uncontrollable Descent

While authorities have not provided an official explanation, a leading hypothesis is that the submarine experienced a blackout. Such an event could have rendered the crew unable to control the vessel and initiate a safe ascent, leading to its uncontrolled descent into extreme depths. The discovery of an oil spill in the area where the submarine was thought to have submerged further supports the possibility of significant damage, potentially stemming from fuel-tank issues or the catastrophic accident itself.
Salvage Operations Underway Amid Difficult Conditions

Following the confirmation that the submarine had sunk and was breaking apart, the focus shifted to salvage operations. Recovered debris, including parts of the torpedo system and internal items like a prayer mat, confirmed the vessel's fate. International assistance has been sought, with vessels like Singapore’s MV Swift Rescue arriving to aid in the recovery efforts in the deep waters, which are presenting significant challenges for the operation.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What caused the Indonesian submarine to break apart at extreme depths?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends