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Brazilian Submarine Sinks in Rio Dock
Brazilian submarine "Tonelero " sank on Sunday night at the naval base in Rio de Janeiro, where it was under repair, said Brazil's Navy on Monday.
The crew of nine on board all escaped, according to a communique
The accident was probably due to a hydraulic malfunction in the valve control, the communique said.
Tonelero's commander Luiz Fernando Palmer da Fonseca said that four torpedoes were on board but they were "un-armed, without any risk." He ruled out the possibility of environmental hazards, for it was a diesel and batteries submarine, instead of a nuclear one.
Rescue work has started and will take at least one week. "It would be difficult to lift the 2,410-ton submarine, which in addition, is full of water," explained the commander.
Tonelero is the oldest Brazilian submarine in service. It was made in England in 1971, and bought by Brazil in 1977. The 90- meter-long submarine, can load up to 22 torpedoes and a crew of 70.
The submarine had been out of service and subject to repairs for two years, and was about to be once again on duty in 15 days. The Brazilian navy has already started investigations to establish the causes of the sinking.
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