A Russian mini-submarine with seven sailors aboard got caught on a fishing net and is stuck on the sea floor off Russia’s Pacific Coast, navy officials said on Friday.
Navy authorities have scrambled to try to figure out how to raise the vessel from a depth of about 190m amid conflicting statements on how long the air supply will last.
Navy spokesperson Captain Igor Dygalo said there is enough air aboard to last one more day, the Interfax news agency reported.
Dygalo said the United States Navy has been asked for assistance, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported. Interfax said Russia’s Pacific fleet commander is in talks with top US Navy officers over how the US might help.
In televised comments, Pacific fleet spokesperson Captain Alexander Kosolapov said there is contact with the sailors, who are not hurt, and that authorities are preparing to send down a similar vessel to assess the situation.
The vessel’s propeller became entangled in a fishing net on Thursday, trapping the craft, Dygalo said. — Sapa-AP