Viral videos give a haunting glimpse of life aboard doomed Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala 402

As Indonesia mourns the sinking of the vessel with 53 sailors aboard, footage of the crew – along with photos and tweets shared by their loved ones – have captured the nation’s hearts

In one video, petty officer Setyo Wawan warns wives to assume the worst; in another a toddler tries to stop his father from embarking on the doomed voyage

Reading Time:5 minutes

The Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala 402 docking in Surabaya. The vessel sank off the coast of Bali on April 21, 2021. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:36pm, 28 Apr 2021Updated: 11:06am, 29 Apr 2021

Two years ago, Indonesian navy first petty officer Setyo Wawan was interviewed about his life as a submariner for the national television programme Warrior.

He spoke with a candour that was compelling to watch; serving military officers are not usually forthcoming about their feelings.

“The moment your vessel submerges into the water, that means you are already dead,” the chisel-faced Setyo told Trans TV.

“I say this also to my wife and children. When your husband leaves for his duties on a submarine operation, take it as if your husband has already died. Pray to Allah that your husband would be given safety, smooth passage and ease [in life] wherever he is.”

Last week, Setyo’s words tragically turned out to be prophetic. He was one of 53 sailors on board the submarine KRI Nanggala 402 when it sank during a torpedo drill in the Bali Strait.

Footage of the interview, posted by Trans TV on YouTube, went viral soon after news broke that the German-made submarine had vanished on April 21. It was subsequently viewed more than a million times.

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