Beijing: As many as 55 Chinese sailors are feared dead after their nuclear submarine got caught in a trap meant for American and allied submarines in the Yellow Sea in August, claims a leaked intelligence report.
The submarine, which was reportedly conducting a covert operation, was damaged by an underwater mine, according to sources in the Chinese military. The submarine sank to the bottom of the sea, and all 55 crew members are believed to have perished.
The incident is a major embarrassment for the Chinese military, and it has raised questions about the safety of its nuclear submarines. It is also a sign of the growing tensions between China and the United States and its allies in the region.
The US Navy has denied any involvement in the incident, but it is possible that the submarine may have been caught in a trap laid by the US or its allies. The US has a number of anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the region, and it is possible that the Chinese submarine may have been detected and tracked.
According to the report, the captain of the Chinese Navy’s 093-417 submarine along with 21 other officers were among those died. The cause of death was reported due to the failure of the vessel’s oxygen system.