Washington
The US Navy has sacked three top crew members aboard a nuclear submarine that crashed into an underwater mountain.Commander Cameron Aljilani and two others were removed after an investigation into the incident in the disputed South China Sea.
The USS Connecticut struck the object last month, forcing the vessel to come to the surface for a week and sail to the US territory of Guam.
Navy officials say the crew members “could have prevented” the collision. Last week, the navy said the submarine had hit an uncharted “seamount” while patrolling below the surface.
A seamount is a mountain that rises from the ocean floor. Fifteen sailors suffered minor injuries. The submarine is currently being checked for damage at Guam in the Pacific before it returns to Washington for repairs.
The incident happened amid rising tensions in the region. Media caption,
Why is everyone fighting over the South China Sea?
The USS Connecticut was operating in one of the most contested regions in the world. China claims most of the South China Sea, but surrounding countries and the US disagree.—Agencies
