CAPE TOWN – Three South African navy personnel died and a senior officer was once in a essential situation after seven staff individuals of a submarine had been swept off its deck by way of giant sea waves as a helicopter tried a “vertical transfer” of provides, the Department of Defence mentioned Thursday.
Wednesday’s twist of fate came about as an Air Force Lynx helicopter was once making an attempt what is referred to as a “vertrep” – or vertical replenishment – of provides to the SAS Manthatisi submarine at the ocean floor off the coast of Cape Town, the dept mentioned.
The operation was once in an instant referred to as off and a rescue effort was once introduced.
All seven submariners had been recovered, however 3 had been pronounced lifeless. A staff member from the helicopter who was once dispatched as a “surface swimmer” to lend a hand within the rescue operation was once additionally recovered and is within the clinic along the 4 surviving submariners.
The National Sea Rescue Institute and different emergency products and services had been referred to as in to lend a hand with the rescue, the Department of Defense mentioned. There shall be an inquiry into the failed operation and the ensuing deaths, the dept mentioned.
The South African National Defense Force, which accommodates the entire military, mentioned a feminine officer with the rank of lieutenant commander was once some of the 3 who died.
Cape Town and different spaces on South Africa’s south coast had been hit by extremely rough seas since final weekend, led to by way of a phenomenon referred to as “spring tide.”
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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa