In an unprecedented move, Xinhua reports the loss of officers and sailors in a disaster off the coast of Shandong
An entire crew of 70 sailors has been killed in an accident aboard a conventional Chinese submarine in the naval fleet's first reported disaster.
No 361 submarine, a Ming Class boat, was taking part in a drill east of the Neichangshan islands, off the coast of Yantai city, on the Shandong peninsula, when it malfunctioned due to technical failure, Xinhua reported last night, quoting navy sources.
'All of 70 officers and sailors were killed on board,' it said in a brief statement.
It said the accident took place recently but did not specify the date.
The news agency added that the submarine was towed to an unidentified port but did not give further details as to the crewmen, or what had caused the mechanical failure.
