Coast Guard Investigates Submarine Collision
The Japan Coast Guard is investigating the cause of a collision between a Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine and a cargo ship off the coast of western Japan.
The submarine Souryu and the bulk carrier Ocean Artemis collided about 50 kilometers off Kochi Prefecture on Monday. Three of the submarine crew suffered minor injuries.
The cargo ship arrived at a port in Kobe, western Japan, on Tuesday evening. The Coast Guard plans to examine any damage to the vessel.
The submarine is now anchored near a port in Kochi, where Coast Guard officials are questioning the crew and inspecting the damage.
The officials say the crew was conducting a drill when the collision occurred. They say they are trying to find out why and how the accident occurred.