HONOLULU, Hawaii (10 Feb 2001) -- Nine Japanese people are still missing following Friday's collision between the USS Greeneville and the Ehime Maru, 14km off Honolulu, Hawaii. The Ehime Maru was halfway through a marine studies training voyage for Japanese students and teachers. Four high school students, two teachers and three crew are missing and feared drowned. According to US Navy officials, the nuclear-powered submarine struck and sank a Japanese trawler during an emergency surfacing drill. Standard operating procedure for such drills requires the sub to use its periscope and sonar from a depth of about 18 meters to check the surface prior to the emergency ascent. | | President George W Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powel have sent messages of condolence and apology to the Japanese. Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander in chief of the US Pacific Fleet, described the accident as "tragic and regrettable". "I want to express my apologies to those involved in the incident, their families and the government of Japan," he said. The US National Transportation Safety Board and the US Navy are investigating the collision. The Japanese government has demanded a full explanation of the accident. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
