Mystery surrounding the fate of a Chinese submarine and its 55-member crew. News of the sinking is accompanied by denials from Beijing, including analyzes and press reports that coexist with doubts and concerns.
The EurAsian Times highlights how “vulnerable” nuclear submarines are in the event of an underwater accident that causes a leak: Historically, accidents involving nuclear submarines have been linked to a variety of causes, but there is no shortage of incidents , which depend on reactors nuclear weapons, complete with radioactive leaks.
What happens if a nuclear submarine sinks?
China, the New Delhi press claims, has denied the news of the alleged sinking, but if the accident had really happened, there would be the problem of “leakage”, which “could have serious consequences, including water pollution”, emphasizes an Indian expert at EurAsian Times.
And structural failure of the reactors could lead to the “release of highly radioactive fission products” and pose a “significant risk to the lives of people nearby” in addition to “greater danger to the public safety of people.”
The accident involving Chinese submarine 093-417 occurred in the Yellow Sea on August 21, according to an internal British intelligence report obtained by the Chron. It would have caused 55 deaths. The submarine would have fallen victim to a Chinese trap, an “anchor chain mechanism” intended to have an anti-American function. The investigation of the accident – reconstructs the EurAsian Times – would have taken six hours, but the system that ensures oxygen on board would not have worked, which would have led to the death of the crew members. According to the Sun, the crew members died of “asphyxia or poisoning.”
“Apart from the damage to the submarine and the loss of life on board, the possibility of damage to the reactor is the most alarming aspect,” an Indian Navy officer confirmed to EurAsian Times. “This could lead to the loss of radioactive material, which could contaminate the water and marine life.” Another danger would be “if it were to carry nuclear weapons.” And salvaging a sunken submarine “can be dangerous for the same reasons.”
“The job of a submariner is extremely dangerous and is based on three pillars: the reliability and maintenance of the ship, the training of the personnel and uncertainty, because the job of a sailor is difficult and we know that sometimes the sea is not a friend. “ “Explained Andrea Margelletti, president of the Centro Studi Internazionali (Cesi), to Adnkronos.
“All major nations in history have lost submarines; it happened to the Americans, the Soviets and the Russians, and a few years ago to the Argentines.” Regarding the credibility of the news, Margelletti notes: “When Western countries say it sank, “They probably have audible evidence that it happened.” And some embarrassment on the part of the Chinese in admitting this would be understandable, as they present themselves to the world as an alternative power to the American one. Regarding the hypothesis of environmental risks associated with such an accident, Margelletti emphasizes: “At the moment, I think it is difficult to imagine.”