U.S. Nuclear Submarine Strikes Unidentified Object in South China Sea, Sailors Injured

The USS Connecticut, a Seawolf-class fast attack submarine, struck an unidentified underwater object in the South China Sea on Saturday. The U.S. Navy confirmed the incident on Thursday and said there were several injuries, none of them life-threatening.

“The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The U.S. Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated,” the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement on Thursday.

The Navy did not specify where the incident occurred, but two defense officials told CNNon Thursday it happened in the South China Sea, where a major naval exercise involving the U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia, and other allies is in progress. 

CNN also noted the increasing tensions between China and Taiwan as a factor in U.S. naval operations.