TNI's Naval Submarine Lost Contact in Bali Waters

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Military's (TNI) naval submarine, KRI Naggala-402, lost contact in waters north of the Bali Island, early in the morning today, April 21, with 53 crew members on board.

TNI chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto confirmed the news to journalists on Wednesday. "The searching is underway at the waters of Bali, 60 miles from Bali," he told the press.

Indonesian Navy chief of Information Department Julius Widjojono also confirmed the news. He said that all the ships with underwater search tools were deployed to search for the German-built submarine. "I'll head to the location tomorrow morning," he added.

KRI Nanggala-402 was reportedly lost contact with the operator at around 03:00 local time, 60 miles north of Bali Island in a dive maneuver. The submarine was conducting torpedo drill in Bali seas and planned to launch the torpedo tomorrow, April 22.

According to the TNI commander, requests for assistance to search for the submarine had ben sent to Singapore and Australia. "Because we're partnering [with the thw two countries]. We have communicated regarding the search and anything related to the accident in navy drill," he told the journalists on Wednesday.

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