Argentina ends rescue operation for submarine crew

Navy says it will continue searching for vessel with international partners

A family visits the a makeshift tribute made with flags and notes to the 44 crew members of the missing submarine at the Argentina Navy base at Mar del Plata. Photograph: Arduin Mauricio/EPA
A family visits the a makeshift tribute made with flags and notes to the 44 crew members of the missing submarine at the Argentina Navy base at Mar del Plata. Photograph: Arduin Mauricio/EPA

Argentina has ended a rescue operation for a submarine crew that disappeared 15 days ago, though it will continue trying to locate the vessel with international partners, navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said on Thursday.

“More than double the number of days have passed where it would have been possible to rescue the crew,” Mr Balbi told a news conference.

Forty-four sailors were aboard the ARA San Juan when contact with the vessel was lost on November 15th.

Experts have said the crew had only enough oxygen to last up to 10 days if the sub remained intact but submerged. – Reuters