A UNITED States nuclear-powered attack submarine which may have been armed with nuclear weapons has been involved in a collision with a cargo vessel in Hong Kong waters, it emerged yesterday.
The Marine Department has launched an inquiry and asked the commander of the submarine USS Drum to submit a full report.
The Security Branch was informed of the incident immediately after the collision with the Panamanian-registered cargo vessel Sei Bright at 12.57 pm on Thursday.
A spokesman said the Government had a contingency plan involving various departments and the Royal Navy in case of nuclear submarine accidents, understood to be practised annually.
'The damage was minor and we did not need to use the contingency plan.
'We must stress that we were satisfied there was no risk to the health of public,' said a Security Branch spokesman.