A Japanese submarine was damaged after colliding with a ship as it surfaced off the southeast coast of Japan on Monday.
The incident took place in waters off Shikoku island and involved the Soryu, the first vessel in a class of eleven diesel-electric attack submarines belonging to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Three submariners sustained minor injuries but are ok.
Photos of the Soryu undeway after the accident show the damage to its starboard side sail. Reports says it also sustained damage to antenna mast, impacting the sub’s ability to communicate for some time after the accident.
The merchant ship is said to be the MV Ocean Artemis, a 93,103 DWT bulk carrier built in 2011, which was carrying iron ore. It sustained only minor damage and no injuries were reported.